TAXICAB COMMISSION, PORT AUTHORITY, AND BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS DEFEND FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET
ST. THOMAS – The Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Kurt Vialet continued budget hearings today, in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. The agenda consisted of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget proposals for the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission, The Virgin Islands Port Authority, and the Bureau of Corrections.
2022-08-16 13:10:52 - VI News Staff
Vernice Gumbs, the Acting Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission delivered testimony. The proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2023 for the Commission totaled $1,027,414. There are 12 total positions. Two positions were unclassified filled. Two positions were unclassified-vacant. There were six classified-filled positions. There were two classified-vacant positions.
The Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission is a semi-autonomous agency of the Government of the Virgin Islands, comprised of a nine-member board. The members are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands. The board currently has seven members. According to Gumbs, there was a major reduction in business activity because of the office being closed due to COVID-19, and its inability to function remotely. Enforcement officers who would usually perform dedicated work to the Commission, were redirected to provide full hours to the COVID Task Force, under the direction of the Virgin Islands Police Department. During this time, the issuance of taxi citations were at a bare minimum.
Gumbs spoke of the challenges that exist at the Commission, including the inability to process applications and offer payments through their website, the lack of an automated system, outdated computer hardware and software, unreliable internet and printing capabilities, and a shortage of enforcement officers to generate revenues throughout the territory. The Taxicab Commission board voted in June 2022 to increase the official tariff by 50%. The official tariff had not been increased since 2005.