ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission issued a statement today clarifying it only recommended pay raises for 12 executive branch officials, not any senators.
The law that created the nine-member Commission, Act No. 7878, indicates the role of the Commission was to review the salaries, expense allowances, and other emoluments of senators of the VI Legislature, the governor, lieutenant governor, members of the governor’s Cabinet including the attorney general, all commissioners and directors of government agencies, judicial officers, and the inspector general.
The Commission recommended salary increases for the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, inspector general, supervisor of elections, four commissioners, and three executive directors of boards and/or commissions, according to the Public Officials Compensation Study. It recommended a salary of $95,000 for “senator.”
The Commission clarified the reference to “senator” earning $95,000 was specific to the Senate president, who serves as the head of the Legislature.
“The report specifically recommends no adjustment for this position or any other legislative roles,” according to the Commission’s statement.
The Commission indicated that a thorough review of its report reveals a total recommended compensation adjustment for 12 of the 41 positions reviewed, amounting to $199,005.
Haldane Davies, chair of the Compensation Commission, when questioned about the $95,000 listed in the report for “senator” before WTJX’s story on Sunday, did not clarify the amount only represented the salary for the Senate president.
WTJX previously reported that the Commission incorrectly noted the current salary of senators was $95,000 because the actual salary senators receive is $85,000, while the Senate president receives $95,000. WTJX also reported that the Commission recommended salary increases for a dozen government officials in the executive branch as well as for all 15 senators.
The Commission’s proposed pay recommendations outlined in Table 10 for executive, judicial, and legislative officers utilize Table 3 with total market comparisons and adjustments, where applicable, to address compression. Table 3 indicates one incumbent under the job title of “senator” earns a salary of $95,000.
The Commission recommended to increase the governor’s salary to $192,088 from $150,000; the lieutenant governor’s salary to $168,231 from $125,000; the attorney general’s salary to $168,231 from $145,000; and the inspector general’s salary to $129,455 from $125,000.
The recommendation for commissioners included salary increases to $140,506 from $125,000 for the Planning and Natural Resources commissioner; to $136,221 from $125,000 for the Labor commissioner; to $134,349 from $125,000 for the Licensing and Consumer Affairs commissioner; and to $138,090 from $135,000 for the Human Services commissioner.
The Commission recommended to increase the salaries of the supervisor of the Elections System of the Virgin Islands to $127,556 from $110,000 (the supervisor of elections received an increase from the Board of Elections to $120,000 during a meeting on June 26, 2024); the executive director of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission to $94,401 from $80,000; the executive director of the Career and Technical Education Board to $93,481 from $85,000; and the executive director of the Public Employees Relations Board to $101,396 from $95,000.
While Davies chairs the Commission, Melanie Gomez serves as vice chair. Asiah Clendinen Gumbs is secretary. The other members are Kenneth Hermon, Valdemar Hill Jr., Edward Thomas, Frank Abednego, and attorneys Joel Holt and Henry Smock.
In 2006, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands increased the salaries of the governor to $150,000 from $80,000, and the lieutenant governor to $125,000 from $75,000 with the passage of Bill No. 26-0351 (Act No. 6905). The measure also tied the salary of senators to the lowest paid Cabinet member included in the Executive Succession Act, giving the Senate president an additional $10,000. The move increased the salary of senators to $85,000 from $65,000.
Act No. 8384, which amended the Public Officials Compensation Commission law in October 2020, severed the salary of senators from the lowest paid Cabinet member included in the Executive Succession Act, who was the Sports, Parks and Recreation commissioner. The DSPR commissioner currently earns $115,000. Act No. 8384 also required the Commission’s first report be submitted by May 30, 2022, and clarified the Commission’s recommendations would be automatically approved if the Legislature failed to act upon them within 90 days.
The law required the Commission to submit a report of the results of its review and its recommendations to the governor, Senate president, and chief justice of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court. The report was transmitted via email on August 13, 2024. Although the governor and judicial branch indicated receipt of the report, Senate President Novelle Francis Jr. reiterated in a press release today that he never received it.
“The alleged issuance of the Public Officials Compensation Study by the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission should not constitute official transmittal of this document to the Virgin Islands Legislature,” Francis said in a statement. “It is unusual that a report of this significance would not also be formally transmitted to the Senate president or executive director with a hard copy and a signed receipt for proof of delivery.”
The recommended salary changes took effect January 1, according to Government House.
Francis said any action taken at this time would be both “hasty and premature,” particularly as senators prepare to transition to the 36th Legislature. He said he has requested a legal opinion from the Legislature’s chief legal counsel to further ensure that senators will be proceeding with a thorough understanding of the study as it relates to the enacting legislation.
“This very charged topic and the public discourse highlights the challenges of the executive branch to meet its financial obligations,” Francis said in a statement. “I have been and will continue to be a strong advocate for payments to vendors, student scholarships and honoring our commitments for retroactive pay, and fully expect that the 36th Legislature will also consider the recommendations made by the Commission in the overall context of the government’s financial circumstances.”
As the Senate president noted any action taken at this time would be premature, Senate Minority Leader Dwayne DeGraff circulated a petition via email to his colleagues on Tuesday that calls for the Senate president to convene a special session at 10 a.m. Friday on St. Thomas so the lawmaking body could consider eliminating the pay raises for the 12 executive branch officials by repealing and rescinding Act Nos. 7878 and 8384.
READ MORE: “DeGraff circulates petition for session on Friday to eliminate pay increases for public officials”
Francis would be required to convene the special session if a majority of eight senators sign the petition.
