USVI Public Records

Document text

WASTE HAULERS WILL GET PAID - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact News | Press Releases WASTE HAULERS WILL GET PAID Published: Sep 25, 2020 Search for: ST. THOMAS–The Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Kurt A. Vialet, met Thursday morning in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas. The Committee heard testimony on Bill No.33-0375-An Act appropriating $15 million from the General Fund to the Waste Management Authority (WMA)) to pay outstanding debts to the waste haulers. The Bill is proposed by Senators Vialet and Donna Frett-Gregory. The proposed legislation stipulates that $15 million will be appropriated from the General Fund to the WMA for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020, and for outstanding vendor payments to waste haulers. No later than ten days after the enactment of this Act, the WMA shall submit a list of all waste haulers owed outstanding vendor payments along with the debt amount for each hauler to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It further stated that no later than 30 days after the funds appropriated have been allotted; the WMA shall provide a report to the Legislature documenting the payments to the waste haulers. Jenifer O’Neal, Director of OMB, said it is known that the WMA has struggled for years to be solvent and to make payments to its contractors on a timely basis. This has led to strikes and other forms of expression of dissatisfaction from the haulers, which has negatively impacted the general public overall through the non-collection of trash at numerous bin sites. According to O’Neal, the Government’s revenue collections are currently outpacing expenditures. However, she continues to reiterate that the appearance of a surplus must be viewed cautiously as year-end spending and other obligations that have not yet been posted in the Government’s accounting system. Considering the undeniable need to address this ongoing matter of outstanding payments to the Authority’s vendors, Director O’Neal was prepared to support an appropriation of $10M because she could not ascertain the exact amount owed to the haulers at this time. After much consultation and with the understanding that invoices will have to be presented to OMB for approval before payment authorization, she is now prepared to support the Bill in principle and an appropriation “up to” $15M, with the funding authorization remaining available until expended. Roger E. Merritt, Jr., Executive Director of the WMA, said he recommends passage of the Bill so the WMA can pay the Solid Waste Service Providers who provide invaluable, essential services to the Territory. The Committee voted in favor of the Bill and sent it to the Committee on Rules and Judiciary for further consideration. However, the committee continues to meet this hour considering the remaining of the day’s agenda. Senators at Thursday’s morning hearing were Chairman Kurt A. Vialet, Donna Frett-Gregory, Allison DeGazon, Janelle Sarauw, Novelle Francis, Jr., Oakland Benta, Myron Jackson, Alicia Barnes, and Athneil “Bobby” Thomas. ###   Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 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... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. THOMAS, VI – The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, led by Senator Ray Fonseca, met at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall.  Lawmakers received testimony concerning the potential and observed public... Read More SENATORS CONSIDER PROPOSED HORSE RACE LEGISLATION IN SPECIAL SESSION  July 22, 2026 Members of the 36th Legislature, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers met in special session by request of the governor to consider Bill No. 36-0313, an act approving lease and franchise agreements for the development and operation of the Randall “Doc”... Read More Quick Links Home Senators Committees Media News Contact Important Links Revised Organic Act of 1954 (PDF) 36th Oath of Office Booklet 100 Day Report Rules of the 36th Public Information or Archives Request Search for: Follow Follow Follow Follow