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 on St. Thomas to receive testimony for the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation, and the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement.

Barbara Jackson McIntosh, Director of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles delivered its proposed budget of $6,486,954. Of this amount, $3,596,365 comes from the General Fund, $1,000,000 comes from BMV funds and $1,890,589 comes from the personalized license plate (PLP) fund. The General Fund and the BMV funds are used for personnel services. The PLP fund will be used for supplies, rent, utilities, maintenance, and operating expenses. There are sixty-three positions and five current vacancies. Three additional vacancies will be posted shortly.

Jackson McIntosh stated that the BMV is projected to collect $10,550,813 in revenue by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. As of May 30, 2025, revenue collections in the Department totalled $7,133,889. Jackson McIntosh also stated that improvements at the Bureau have improved the customer experience, with average wait time at the St. Thomas Office being approximately 30 minutes, and the average wait time at the St. Croix and St. John offices being 15 minutes. McIntosh stated that other concerns included lost revenue from non-registered and non-insured vehicles. When asked by Chairman Francis about what concerns her about the budget, Jackson McIntosh stated she wished that they had better places for employees to work. She also voiced concern about the well-being of the staff.

Vincent Roberts, Commissioner Nominee of the Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks, and Recreation delivered a proposed budget of $9,272,040. $4,916,980 is for personnel services. This is then broken down into classified positions at $3,858,651 and unclassified positions at $973,990. Overtime is budgeted at $58,000. Night differential is budgeted at $16,340 and other differentials of $10,000. $2,943,684 is for Fringe Benefits, which includes retirement contributions of $1,066,597, FICA of $304,853, Medicare of $71,297, health insurance premiums of $1,445,559 and workers compensation premiums of $55,378. $161,024.49 is for supplies. $445,354 is for other services and charges. $805,000 is for utility services. The Department has a total of 124 employees, with eleven exempt and 103 classified positions. There are ten vacant positions in the St. Thomas-St. John District. Sixty-five positions are in the St. Thomas-St. John district. Of these positions, fifty-one are classified and six are exempt. There are eight vacancies. In the St. Croix district, there are fifty-nine positions, of which fifty-two are classified and five are exempt. There are two vacancies in St. Croix. When asked by Chairman Francis what concerns him about the budget, Roberts stated that improving morale was important, as well as the completion of FEMA projects.

Lisa M. Alejandro, Commissioner of Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement delivered its proposed FY 2026 budget of $24,068,337. This includes $18,868,337 in appropriated funds and $5,200,000 in non-appropriated funds. The appropriated funds include the General Fund of $14,616,564, Business and Commercial Fund of $4,066,773 and Indirect Cost Fund of $185,000. The Non-Appropriated Funds cover the Central Motor Pool Fund, Central Warehouse Fund, Gasoline Coupon Fund, and Printing and Production Fund.

The General Fund request has increased 7.36% from FY 2025, or about $1,001,518. Personnel services totals $2,817,046.99, which is broken down into $678,221.99 for classified salaries and $2,138,825 for unclassified salaries. Fringe benefits total $1,104,874.34. Supplies total $238,721. Utility services total $450,000. Other services total $8,930,921.67. Other services include repairs and maintenance at $150,000, Automotive Repairs and Maintenance at $5,000, Professional Services at $1,405,621.67, Communication at $50,000, Advertising and Promotion at $20,000, Transportation (Not travel) at $5,000, Travel at $20,000. Bulk Airline Tickets at $10,000, Insurance at $7,257,300, Training at $5,000, and Uniform Allowance at $3,000. Capital projects total $1,075,000, broken down into $1,025,000 for capital outlays and $50,000 for Buildings and Improvements.

The Department has seventy-six employees. Forty-six are in the St. Thomas-St. John District and thirty are in the St. Croix District. Twenty-three employees are classified and fifty-five are exempt. There are eleven new and vacant positions. Six exempt employees received salary increases and salary adjustments were completed for sixteen classified employees under the United Steel Workers Master’s Union as of October 1, 2024. Two employees were promoted, and four hires were assigned to the Divisions of Procurement and Fiscal & Personnel Services. The Department lost seven employees, including three retirements and four resignations.

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

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