[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6497144,"mediaKeyId","5448073-7cd9e4789a1b4ad78ede9dcc9587b6fa","parentId",5448073,"title","Waste Management Authority seeks fee authority, federal grants for landfills and wastewater repairs","audioSeconds",1085,"startMs",16045000,"endMs",17130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448073-7cd9e4789a1b4ad78ede9dcc9587b6fa&start=16045&end=17130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448073-7cd9e4789a1b4ad78ede9dcc9587b6fa/thumbnail_16045000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6497144/Waste-Management-Authority-seeks-fee-authority-federal-grants-for-landfills-and-wastewater-repairs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497144-1414051ddd01feaa243783eddc991a34/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521179&Signature=nMUGjztAunTF0KuQQW1T~D~REPt5ViEO8vUWmQwgkp0SAUsqnuU7rH3WFif9nATe7HqniMXNA2RDKBdfpr4B6-HuIJkWxnUCjJ-JvEPodua~AFWEUwxgbv~APmCewslXggMGFTzbAW-2NqvuQJQPrHDlqLMkt60Gpbn~kWJVPp~eiJVhxcdvRAeK~SDk-MRP2kfW6e5vU-RCFt1GHJxtjNLG1R-ebJ2UQwrieLOv-tjnq9rUHaZCBnjZOYeRgHUD7jw0pYsD0ZNyOQBiNiK7-vciseshZHlj9mM70h9g8meZmlhTWMBoBPbXwqh6DaV4~OOHQuUdcm5EcygYI6o2ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virgin Islands Legislature","date","2025-07-22T06:19:34.34Z","article","The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (WMA) appeared July 21 before the legislative committee to describe a FY2026 budget driven by two needs: stable recurring revenue for collection and landfill operations, and large federal grants and contracts for landfill upgrades and wastewater infrastructure.

Interim Executive Director and CFO Daryl Griffith said the government recommended appropriation to WMA for FY2026 totals $42,800,000 (breakdown given in testimony). The authority projects a $53,619,240 balanced budget and expects to generate tipping‑fee revenue and, if approved by the Public Services Commission (PSC) and collected on property tax bills, a newly proposed solid‑waste collection/disposal/maintenance fee.

Lede points
- New recurring fee proposal: WMA described a proposed solid waste collection, disposal and maintenance fee designed to cover territorial house‑to‑house collection, bin sites and transportation to landfills. The proposed rate examples in testimony: $180 per year for residential units (about $15/month). WMA estimated 34,022 residential unit accounts and 20,718 vacant‑lot parcels and projected 70% collection, estimating roughly $6.9 million a year at that collection rate.
- Existing revenue and past‑due liabilities: Griffith said the authority’s tipping fee is very low compared with U.S. averages (WMA’s current rate equates to about $5.06/ton versus national landfill averages in the $50s per ton). The authority reported roughly $19 million in accounts payable (past due) and said recent local appropriations and a $5 million legislative transfer were used to pay some vendors.
- Federal grants & capital projects: WMA reviewed a long list of federally funded projects in procurement or early construction: CDBG‑DR and mitigation funds for convenience centers (Mambijoo, Cotton Valley, Concordia, Bornfeld/Susannaberg, Red Hook), Bovoni and other landfill expansion/closure work, site selection for a new integrated solid waste management facility on St. Croix, and many FEMA/DOI/EPA‑supported wastewater upgrades (pump stations, plant upgrades, CCTV trucks, UV upgrades, generator purchases, gravity sewer replacements). Several ODR bundles (North Central, South West, St. Thomas East) are in procurement with large construction dollar values.

Why it matters: WMA said recurring local revenues are needed to sustain daily operations (collection, bin centers, public housing and government collection), while federal grants — often large and multi‑year — fund capital, landfill closure and resilience work. Without an approved local fee and timely grant drawdowns, WMA said it cannot cover contractor arrears and must defer repairs.

Committee questions and agency answers
- Fee collection mechanics: WMA told senators it prefers a property tax‑bill mechanism rather than putting another charge through WAPA billing because of WAPA’s financial problems. Senators asked for more detail on statutory authority and potential exemptions; WMA said the PSC would need to approve fees and the authority will provide a draft rate schedule and collection mechanics.
- Landfill fire and operational issues: senators pressed WMA on fire prevention, water access at landfills and green‑waste management. WMA said it is pursuing grants and work to reduce landfill fires (closure phases, slope regrading, debris and green‑waste handling) and is coordinating with DPNR and other islands stakeholders. The authority noted that federal environmental reviews (e.g., for Red Hook) can delay projects while reviews and public comment proceed.

Selected figures and items from testimony
- Proposed recurring residential fee example: $180/year ($15/month) per residential unit; estimated potential annual collections (70% collection) about $6,897,240. WMA said commercial properties and government units would be exempt under the proposal.
- Current tipping fee: $7.75 per cubic yard (~$5.06 per ton) — far below the continental U.S. average cited in testimony.
- WMA accounts payable: ~ $19,000,000 outstanding (historic past‑due liabilities; agency has spent recent one‑time appropriations to lower the balance).
- Major grant pipeline examples: Mambijoo/Cotton Valley/Concordia convenience centers (procurement complete; design‑build contract selected), Bovoni landfill phases (expansion/partial closure), St. Croix new landfill site selection (66 parcels reviewed, 3 remain under consideration), multiple wastewater pump station and plant upgrades across islands (FEMA/DOI/EPA funding bundles). WMA reported contract awards and pending RFPs for equipment (CCTV trucks, mini‑excavators, pump purchases) and major construction bundles sized in the tens to hundreds of millions for sewer gravity line replacement bundles.

Ending note
WMA asked the committee to help: approve fee enabling language and support timely local appropriations while the authority works to get federal grants and procurement moving. WMA said it will provide additional accounting of outstanding vendor payables, a schedule of grant draw plans and the draft PSC filing for the proposed collection/maintenance fee upon request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07-21-2025 Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance 1","oneSentenceSummary","The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority told the budget committee it needs new revenue streams and federal grants to pay vendors, expand landfill capacity, fix failing wastewater infrastructure and complete convenience‑center projects, and asked for statutory collection of a territorywide sanitation fee.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands","taxId",77876,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6497149,"Economic development authority touts grants, investor leads and small‑business programs",1845,7110000,8955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448073-7cd9e4789a1b4ad78ede9dcc9587b6fa&start=7110&end=8955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448073-7cd9e4789a1b4ad78ede9dcc9587b6fa/thumbnail_7110000.jpg","/articles/6497149/Economic-development-authority-touts-grants-investor-leads-and-smallbusiness-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497149-ee81def65818dc4ae41aff4def7ebb16/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521180&Signature=PLvs~glTDeAerWp~gA9X8TRDxrmEzLoJK3~aIsx39hlpCWLwQazDNsw4-rfDl7W8Xe-7iIHp-p59eQVJqjPQUeFsztAdzmGmzt4RgL-jQ7EWastcj2FOnjosub7NA6FPmCx3sO9stawy2c3sWpsUxyj-zYYoHRirDEy67~nOoG-Q5snVLctYJ8AfikBaDa75FvK258MEebXQ29khcfmeRZanf6ev6zj18esHqaKLoilBw28LOUPKu6srBWGVD0pKgr-h1rBX0B7kU4pA~nVjC~LsSH7mnq7vOW-uApVDqTw-geEPwGBLlkoXBeZHIDU6w7MHaCdQhEVoFFeRtPxCzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVI EDA) told the Legislature’s Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on July 21 that its FY2026 plan will continue a multi‑pronged strategy: market the territory to investors, expand small‑business access to capital, operate industrial parks, and strengthen compliance and reporting for tax‑incentive beneficiaries.

CEO Wayne Biggs said the authority’s FY2026 operating budget totals $7,316,891, comprised of a $6,613,000 general‑fund appropriation and about $703,891 of internally generated revenue. He told senators EDA’s budget has been effectively flat for several years even as programs and responsibilities have expanded.

What EDA reported
- Marketing and investor outreach: EDA reported participation in national investor events (SelectUSA, investment summits) and international outreach, generating a pipeline of investor leads. The authority said it will spend more on lead generation and targeted promotion in FY2026 to attract hotel, tourism and industrial projects.
- Small‑business finance: EDA administers SSBCI funds (SSBCI 2 tranche 1 received $18.9M; $15.7M expended or obligated as of July 15) and reported SSBCI loan guarantees unlocked more than $28M in lender financing to date. EDA also runs direct‑loan and VI Slice home‑ownership gap programs (VI Slice helped 57 families close to date, with $5.6M dispersed).
- Industrial parks: EDA’s park corporation reports 100% occupancy at both the Saint Thomas and William D. Robuck parks (Saint Croix) and is pursuing capital repairs, EV charging, and microgrid planning.
- EDC (tax incentives): EDA said the economic development commission portfolio has grown (100+ active beneficiaries); the commission approved new projects committing local investments and job creation. Biggs emphasized the need to expand the compliance unit to keep pace with a larger beneficiary portfolio.

Why it matters: Biggs said EDA attracts private capital that broadens the local tax base, supports jobs and charitable contributions, and helps revitalize neighborhoods. Senators pressed for clarity on staffing, compliance capacity and use of SSBCI and agency revenue. Biggs asked legislators to maintain the $6.613 million general appropriation and to consider support for staff in order to keep up with compliance and outreach demands.

Committee questions and agency commitments
- Staffing and compensation: Senators asked about personnel counts, vacant positions and wage pressure. EDA said personnel costs are 70% of the budget and that the agency has 46 full‑time positions (42 filled, 4 vacant) plus a small number at EDPC and grant‑funded roles. Biggs said a stagnant appropriation strains ability to pay competitive salaries and retain staff.
- Compliance and reporting: Senators pressed for more compliance officers to monitor EDC beneficiaries; EDA said it is developing a cloud‑based compliance portal and requested resources to staff it.
- SSBCI performance and outreach: EDA reported 20 businesses supported via SSBCI as of July 15 (total leveraged lending cited) and that the authority is applying for the program’s second tranche; it also received a grant to provide technical assistance to make more businesses loan‑ready.

Selected numbers mentioned
- FY2026 operating budget: $7,316,891 (includes $6,613,000 general fund).","The USVI Economic Development Authority told the budget committee it is leveraging federal grants and an expanded marketing push to attract hotels, industry and small‑business capital while asking legislators to maintain a stable general‑fund appropriation to sustain staff and compliance oversight.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6497154,"USVI housing agencies ask for steady funding as federal cuts loom",2935,3398000,6333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5448073-7cd9e4789a1b4ad78ede9dcc9587b6fa&start=3398&end=6333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5448073-7cd9e4789a1b4ad78ede9dcc9587b6fa/thumbnail_3398000.jpg","/articles/6497154/USVI-housing-agencies-ask-for-steady-funding-as-federal-cuts-loom","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497154-15a018ddbbaeab9d94f2b2817cbcbfd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770521180&Signature=EKYSLAeKg4WevLwYmRDzl5AsEahclgaheHFiRC06mUv2AgF1pbKGHo4wRBrAM4DZ4U-P5ZvyRZxq2Pc-VNTvErgznWK1FUGIw1WRjulo9-qoXeTSR7fr4DJup0NeWS-t1pe8GoloST-mMcp02bOzMWKM1pZv~Mav3XwBmflBz-6bs3gaTGIXFuScLg021h2aXNPOmFabfEPLOT4iJjcIL2nQQd8w-numNLED59BPXLsvLneh713Uf~deRqCp3H8hnyl1M7aqpHDqr5nR2kOuE~HWj4YjUZ-S22hGzX~gp36pQEs5WEGpJfOG8nXJAZbX~WwtXsBsPpv4knhuEc8OUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) and the Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA) presented their fiscal 2026 budgets to the Legislature’s Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on July 21, saying local appropriations and federal grants are both essential to keep programs and construction on track.

VIHFA Executive Director Eugene Jones Jr. said VIHFA’s proposed operating budget for FY2026 is $28,924,234, including a requested $2,000,000 from the general fund. Jones told the committee VIHFA expects other revenue from stamp tax collections, home sales, commercial leases, mortgages and federal reimbursements. “The authority was projected to receive $5,000,000 in stamp tax revenue for fiscal year 2024,” Jones said, and his office is seeking a multi‑year balance owed by government. Jones said the general fund appropriation has historically funded salaries and fringe for about 20 locally funded positions.

VIHA Executive Director Dwayne Alexander described the housing authority’s operating and capital needs across public housing and voucher programs and said the agency currently has a “troubled” HUD designation but is working to improve its score. Alexander said the authority manages roughly 2,129 public housing units in 18 communities and said capital fund and HUD allocations are needed to preserve units and proceed with redevelopment projects. He listed active redevelopment and rehab work — including large projects at Hamilton D. Jackson and plans for senior housing and other phases — and said capital fund obligations and FEMA and CDBG‑DR funds are central to that work.

Why it matters: both agencies said their operations rely on federal grants that may be cut in Washington, and on local receipts such as stamp tax transfers that have not been consistently delivered. Jones and Alexander asked legislators to sustain local appropriations while both agencies try to speed up construction, improve occupancy and use mitigation and recovery funds for housing preservation and new builds.

Key facts and numbers
- VIHFA FY2026 operating budget proposed: $28,924,234, including $2,000,000 general fund. Jones said VIHFA projected $5,000,000 in stamp tax revenue for FY2024 but has not received later years’ disbursements.
- VIHFA personnel/service projection cited: roughly $13.1 million for personnel costs in FY2026. VIHFA reported 4 current vacancies and said rising insurance and retirement costs increase pressure on local appropriations.
- VIHA major program figures cited: public housing operating ~$20,000,000, capital fund program ~$11,200,000 for FY2026 authorization (reported as awards/allocations), housing choice voucher program ~$17,000,000. VIHA reported 168 filled positions and 32 vacancies (staffing counts varied by filing date in testimony).
- Both agencies highlighted large federal grants they administer: CDBG‑DR, Mitigation (MIT), HOME, ESG, Emergency Rental Assistance, Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF), FEMA and other federal programs described in testimony.

Discussion and staff direction
- VIHFA: Jones said VIHFA is pressing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and a board member who is OMB director to recover stamp tax receipts owed to VIHFA and that the authority has drawn monthly general fund support for salaries. He said VIHFA is exploring tax‑exempt bonds and the possibility of MTW (Moving to Work) flexibility to combine funding streams.
- VIHA: Alexander said HUD budget uncertainty (cited draft federal proposals) could cut programs and change how rental assistance is delivered; he urged monitoring and advocacy with federal appropriators. He said VIHA is prioritizing vacancy turn‑around, using capital funds and partnerships with developers, and continuing large FEMA and HUD‑funded redevelopment projects.

What legislators asked and what agencies promised
- Legislators pressed for better public outreach about housing programs (VIHA said it has a newsletter, radio outreach, meet‑the‑resident sessions and planned ramped‑up outreach for 2026). VIHA and VIHFA agreed to provide additional line‑item and personnel funding detail on request (including breakdowns of positions supported by stamp tax or other internal revenues).
- Multiple senators asked for updates on specific redevelopment sites (Tutu High Rise abatement/demolition timeline, Wild Pineapple and Queen Louise projects, Loveland/Calabash/Bellevue acquisitions under mitigation funds) and were told construction and environmental clearances are in various stages; several projects anticipate ground breakings in late summer to fall 2025 or later depending on permitting and EPA/environmental clearances.

Uncertainties and limits
- Agencies repeatedly distinguished types of funding and the limits on local authority: neighborhood and redevelopment projects depend on HUD, FEMA CDBG‑DR, mitigation, or private developer financing; VIHFA and VIHA said they must follow HUD requirements for HOME, ESG and HAF programs and that HOME funds carry resale/recapture requirements.
- Both agencies said they are monitoring proposed federal HUD budget changes that could reduce funding and change program structure; they did not predict precise revenue impacts.

Ending note
Lawmakers asked for follow‑up materials the agencies committed to provide: detailed staffing/funding breakdowns showing which positions are supported by local appropriation, stamp tax, federal reimbursements or other revenues; updated schedules for Newport‑area and St. Croix projects; and documentation of the agencies’ grant balances and draw schedules. Both agencies emphasized they want to preserve staff and keep projects moving while awaiting federal and local receipts.
","Two territory housing agencies told the legislature they face large program costs, unpaid stamp taxes and uncertainty over proposed federal HUD budget cuts while seeking continued local appropriations and help speeding project rollouts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Waste Management Authority seeks fee authority, federal grants for landfills and wastewater repairs

Economic development authority touts grants, investor leads and small‑business programs

USVI housing agencies ask for steady funding as federal cuts loom