"We Can't Afford This": Lawmakers Push WMA to Reduce Dependency on Gov't Funding Following $44.4 Million Request

WMA's heavy reliance on government funding is unsustainable," warns Frett-Gregory during budget discussions

The Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance has once again urged the Waste Management Authority to devise a plan to “incrementally wean" itself "off of this central government's coffers.”‌

That was the instruction from committee chair Senator Donna Frett-Gregory, who told WMA’s management on Wednesday that the government of the Virgin Islands “can't afford this” for much longer. She referenced the annual multi-million dollar general fund allocations to keep WMA operational, which this year account for 94% of WMA’s recommended FY2025 funding level of $44,420,000.‌

With $32.6 million of the total anticipated to come from the general fund, WMA Executive Director Roger Merritt told lawmakers that the agency is also requesting $5 million from the Anti-Litter & Beautification Fund, $1 million from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund, $1 million from the St. John Capital Improvement Fund, along with $3.8 million from the utility services, and $1 million from the Sewer Wastewater Fund. WMA anticipates generating $3,220,000 in tipping fees and other income to supplement the appropriation, for a total FY2025 budget of $47,640,000.