ST. CROIX — Dr. Michelle S. Davis, above, is one step closer to becoming the official Department of Health Commissioner of the Virgin Islands, after Acting Governor Osbert Potter signed into law a bill authorizing the local government to accept temporarily assigned federal employees into its executive branch.
In notifying Senate President Neville James of the action, Mr. Potter stated that the United States Congress, in implementing the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program, recognized the national interest in giving state, tribal, and territorial governments access to the expertise of those who serve at the federal level.
Simply put, the bill, No. 31-0317, makes room for the local government to hire federal employees on a short-term basis. These federal employees, while working for the local government, would retain their employment with the federal government and receive a matching salary locally, without automatically increasing the salary of the lowest paid cabinet member of the territory’s government.
Dr. Davis, a high-rated U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official, currently on loan to the territory for two years, is the first official to benefit from the law.
Elsewhere, two rezoning measures affecting parcels in Estate Lindbergh Bay were approved by Mr. Potter on Thursday, according to the Government House release. Additionally, Mr. Potter acknowledged Senate resolutions honoring and commending Rodney “Chief” Varlack and the late Alvin “Alvin Gee” Southwell for outstanding service to the people of the Virgin Islands.
Tags: commissioner of health, Michelle Davis, us virgin islands
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