ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — The Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., convened at the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room on St. Croix. Officials from the Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority testified on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budgets.

The Virgin Islands Casino Control Commission Acting Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer Carolyn P. Hermon-Percell presented a Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund budget request of $1,723,800 to support salaries and fringe benefits for the Commission's commissioners and staff, maintaining the same funding level approved for Fiscal Year 2026. The request would fund 17 authorized positions, including 14 filled positions and three vacancies for the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director, and Information Technology Support Specialist. In addition to General Fund appropriations, the Commission's operations are supported through the Casino Control Revolving Fund and the Casino Revenue Fund, which are financed by statutory fees, licensing revenues, and casino taxes that also provide funding for various government agencies and responsible gaming initiatives. 

The proposed budget continues investments in regulatory oversight, licensing, and operational accountability across the Territory's gaming industry. Expanded staffing has enabled regulatory coverage during all casino operating hours, while proposed amendments to the Virgin Islands' internet gaming laws are intended to strengthen implementation of the existing statutory framework. The Commission has also maintained three consecutive unmodified financial audit opinions, continued oversight of casino licensing and enforcement activities, and expanded responsible gaming initiatives through the certification of local gambling counselors and public education programs designed to prevent problem gambling. 

The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority’s Executive Director Hannibal Ware presented aFiscal Year 2027 budget request of $58,438,695, including$39,954,391 in government appropriations from the General Fund, Anti-Litter and Beautification Fund, Tourism Revolving Fund, Sewer Wastewater Fund, and Waste Tire Management and Disposal Fund. The proposed budget supports the continued delivery of essential solid waste and wastewater services while advancing long-term financial sustainability through operational reforms, revenue diversification, and infrastructure modernization.

Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr. inquired about the Authority's outstanding vendor payment obligations. Executive Director Ware explained that vendors have been instructed to continue submitting monthly invoices to the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority despite experiencing prolonged delays in payment from the Government of the Virgin Islands. Acknowledging that the continued submission of invoices without timely reimbursement has created frustration among vendors, Ware expressed confidence that outstanding payment obligations would be satisfied following the appropriation of Fiscal Year 2027 funding by the Legislature. Senator Francis emphasized that maintaining the confidence of the Authority's vendors is essential to ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of critical public services.

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

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Press Contact: Africah N.T. Harrigan

Email: aharrigan@legvi.org