ST. THOMAS, VI – The Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall to receive testimony for the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget from the Office of the Inspector General, the Magens Bay Authority, the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, and the West Indian Company Limited.

Delia Thomas, Inspector General of the Virgin Islands delivered a total proposed budget of $2,898,392, which was unchanged from FY 2025. Personnel services total $1,732,331. Fringe benefits total $651,880. Supplies total $101,938. Other Services total $340,795. This includes repairs, maintenance, rental of land buildings, trainings, transportation travel and not travel, bulk airline ticket purchases and other communication, and services. Utilities total $43,000. Capital projects total $28,448. The Office currently has 20 filled positions, including 11 auditors, two investigators and seven administrative and support staff. There are two vacant positions, including the Senior Special Investigator and the Deputy Virgin Islands Inspector General. Thomas stated that in October 2024, there was a broken air conditioning unit, as well as a broken sewage line near its main St. Thomas Office, which eventually cost $71,600 to repair, which expended almost its entire $80,000 annual maintenance budget. Additionally, the office planned to complete more assignments, but it was unable to do so. When asked by Francis what keeps her up at night, Thomas said that it was frustrating when she could not get information, as well as people not understanding what her office does.

Monique Simon, General Manager of the Magens Bay Authority, delivered a total proposed budget of $3,646,021. The authority employees 53 individuals. Of this, 37 are part time and 16 are full time. Of the full-time workers, 11 are unionized. There are eight vacant positions. They include three lifeguards, two security guards, two grounds keepers, and one cashier. The Authority is a semi-autonomous entity responsible for the management of the Magens Bay Beach and Park, Drake’s Seat, and Smith Bay Beach and Park. Smith Bay Beach and Park currently relies on Magens Bay’s revenue to cover expenses. The Authority receives revenue from entrance fees, open space rentals, activities, and concessions. Simon said that environmental challenges have included invasive plants, flooding, hurricanes, and sargassum. Human behavior challenges have  included loud music, pet abandonment, glass bottles, and unauthorized vending. Facility issues have included long lines, aging structures, and construction disruptions. Plans for the Fiscal Year 2026 include rebuilding of Bath House #1, renovation of Shed #1, Renovation of the bridge, as upgrading the septic system at Bath House #2. Additionally, Simon said that the Authority’s focus would be towards preservation, including arboretum restoration, trail refurbishment and watershed protection, as well as education, including walking tours, school partnerships and flora and fauna awareness. Infrastructure upgrades, customer service and lifeguard training and professional development is also expected. When asked by Chairman Francis Jr. what keeps her up at night, Simon said that it was the sargassum.

Melissa Smith, Acting Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission delivered its proposed budget of $556,043. $395,603 comes from the Taxi Revolving Fund and $160,440 comes from the Tourism Revolving Fund. The Commission has collected $298,442 as of June 2025 and is expected to collect $550,000 in FY 2025. Smith said that the agency has been plagued with staffing shortages. There are thirteen authorized positions. Currently, there are only two employees and the Acting Executive director. There are currently no enforcement officers as all have retired or resigned. At least six enforcement officers and additional administrative staff would be needed to restore operations. The Commission also needs to update outdated technology. It needs $200,000 to $400,000 to update its technology. The agency currently operates manual and paper records. It has inadequate office space, as it shares a small office in St. Croix, as well as has connectivity and environmental issues in its St. Thomas office. The manual processes have led to delays in services and revenue collection, as well as the rise of illegal taxi operations. The Commission has processed 2,739 transactions, including licenses, medallions, and transfers. The Taxi Training Program was launched with UVI Cell. 84 participants were in Cohort 1, with a second cohort planned. It is projected that the Commission needs $1.5 million to operate.

Charlene Turnbull, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the West Indian Company Limited delivered a financial overview of its operations. Current revenues total $9.7 Million. WICO earns revenue from two main sources, cruise passenger wharfage fees and other marine revenue and rental of warehouse and land. Reduced capacity has been attributed to increased ship size and increased competition from other islands.  WICO has 33 employees and 4 vacant positions. It is anticipated that FY 2026 will have a 20% increase from 954,000 to 1.2 million passengers. FY 2026 shows a 29% increase in calls from 281 to 362 ship calls. That increase is expected to produce passenger revenues of approximately $9.6 Million, an increase of $1.6 million from FY 2025. Personnel costs are projected at $220,000. Debt service totals $3.3 Million annually. Property Insurance makes up about 80% of total insurance costs. WICO plans to improve its docking facility, which includes the upcoming Water Pipeline Project. There are also plans to increase berthing capacity as well as exploring new business ideas, such as pursing foreign markets or international ships, as well as boutique ships to increase berths on off peak days. Chairman Francis Jr. as well as other committee members voiced frustration at the lack of information provided to the Committee as it pertained to the current Fiscal Year 2025 and the future projections for Fiscal Year 2026.

Senators present at today’s Committee hearing were Chairman Novelle E. Francis Jr., Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Hubert L. Frederick, Carla J. Joseph, and Kurt A. Vialet.

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