ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Kevin A. Williams Sr., Chief of Staff to Governor Albert Bryan Jr., presented the Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget, requesting $14,076,600 in General Fund appropriations for the Office of the Governor. The proposed spending plan supports executive operations and key initiatives while emphasizing responsible fiscal stewardship and the efficient delivery of government services. During the hearing, Senator Francis asked Williams what issue keeps him up at night. Williams identified the Territory's greatest challenges as gun violence, workforce recruitment and retention, and the need for a strong succession plan. He emphasized the importance of attracting, developing, and retaining talented employees to ensure the government remains well-positioned to serve the people of the Virgin Islands.

According to the Post Audit Division's report, the Office of the Governor received a Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund appropriation of $14,087,494 under Act No. 9035, including $12,802,494 for operating expenses. The report further notes that the proposed FY 2027 Executive Budget revises the FY 2026 General Fund budget to $13,573,494, primarily reflecting a $514,000 transfer to the Single Payer Utilities Fund. However, the July 6, 2026 allotment log continues to reflect a spending ceiling of $14,087,494. Additionally, Act No. 9027 appropriated $300,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund to support designated programmatic initiatives.

Acting Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel Nadja D. Harrigan presented the Office of the Lieutenant Governor's proposed FY 2027 budget, requesting $7,661,158 in General Fund appropriations, a 1.06 percent decrease from FY 2026, with a total operating budget of $22.74 million. Despite the modest reduction, the Office projects generating $127.77 million in revenue during FY 2027, maintaining its position as the Government of the Virgin Islands' second-largest revenue-generating agency. Senator Francis emphasized that maximizing government revenues remains critical to advancing the Territory's priorities and ensuring the government has the resources necessary to accomplish its goals. Harrigan also highlighted FY 2026 accomplishments, including technology modernization, infrastructure improvements, regulatory enhancements, workforce recruitment, and expanded public services, while outlining FY 2027 priorities focused on increasing revenue collections, completing capital projects, strengthening consumer services, filling critical vacancies, and improving operational efficiency across the Office's divisions.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles Director Barbara Jackson-McIntosh presented the agency's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget of $7,058,454, including $3,831,128 in General Fund appropriations to support personnel, operations, and continued modernization initiatives. The Bureau projects collecting $10.65 million in revenue during FY 2027 while continuing to improve customer service through expanded online services, automated licensing and registration systems, digital payment options, and significantly reduced transaction times. Jackson-McIntosh highlighted the Bureau's ongoing investments in employee development, technology, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships while outlining FY 2027 initiatives that include implementing the Virgin Islands Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program, expanding digital services, and improving operational efficiency to further strengthen service delivery across the Territory.

Senators present at the committee hearing were Novelle E. Francis Jr., Marvin A. Blyden, Hubert L. Frederick, Milton E. Potter, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Kurt A. Vialet, Clifford Joseph, and Carla J. Joseph. 

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Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan

Email: aharrigan@legvi.org

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