Two new ambulances purchased for the western end of St. Thomas and Coral Bay, St. John, have instead been placed into regular rotation because most of the territory’s other ambulances are in poor repair, Health Department officials said during budget hearings Monday.
Health officials elaborated that the territory had 18 ambulances, with eight on St. Thomas, three on St. John and seven on St. Croix; but many are not functioning, and both districts have only two ambulances each that are in regular service.
The goal is to have round-the-clock service in Bordeaux and Fortuna on St. Thomas, said District Health Officer Dr. Marc Jerome, testifying on behalf of Acting Commissioner Fern Clarke. Limited personnel and a shortage of money have gotten in the way, but they are encouraged by an announcement from Delegate Donna Christensen saying a $500,000 grant will be awarded the territory for emergency medical services, Jerome said.
Jerome was before the Senate to discuss the Health Department’s 2012 budget of $76.2 million. Of that, $30.9 million is to come from the General Fund—a $1.1-million decrease from last year. Health anticipates another $3.9 million from its own fees in the Health Revolving Fund; $3.8 million from the miscellaneous section of the General Fund; and $1.6 million in non-appropriated funds, including $1.2 million from the Indirect Cost Fund, which consists of federal payments for services by local governments.
Wages and salaries are projected to consume $15.6 million and benefits another $5.8 million from the General Fund, and a similar proportion of the non-appropriated funds.
Utilities are budgeted to cost $106,000 from the General Fund, but another $1.6 million is earmarked for utilities from the Health Revolving Fund, and "other services" some $9 million.
Health also expects $35.9 million in federal funds, with $6.5 million for wages and salaries; $2.6 million for benefits; $8 million for supplies; and $18.5 million for "other services, including $15.5 million from the federal government for Medicaid, through the local Medical Assistance Program.
Out of the miscellaneous budget appropriation, Health plans to distribute $1.1 million to the St. Thomas East End Medical Center, $1.5 million to the Frederiksted Health Center, $710,000 to V.I. Perinatal Inc., $250,000 to the Nurse Licensure Board, and some smaller expenses.
The V.I. Carnival Committee was also before the Senate Monday to discuss the Office of Management and Budget’s recommended 2012 General Fund budget appropriation of $250,000, which, combined with $300,000 from the Tourism Revolving Fund, brings the government’s sponsorship of the St. Thomas event to $550,000 for 2012.
The committee has requested $800,000 in government funding—$250,000 more than recommended by OMB. The committee has projected $85,000 in concessions, $115,000 in show ticket sales, and $155,000 in sponsorships, for a total projected 2012 budget of $1.2 million. The biggest projected 2012 expenses are: entertainment at $190,000; professional services at $135,000, "hospitality" at $115,000, and prizes and trophies at $105,000.
No votes were taken at the information-gathering hearing.