Senators Drill Down on Draw Downs of Federal Grants During Budget Hearing

Lawmakers on the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee stressed the need for government agencies to spend federal dollars before they disappear during a budget hearing for the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, Energy Office and Fire and Emergency Medical Services Tuesday. VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen testified that the agency expects to receive a nearly $5.9 million General Fund appropriation in 2026 and $4.32 million in federal grants. Jaschen said the most significant impact to the agency is expected to be a loss of grant-funded personnel, noting that Federal Emergency Management Agency grants could evaporate “with little or no notice as FEMA redefines grant funding eligibility and expects states and territories to absorb these costs.” The agency’s deputy director of grants management, Florecita Brunn, later told Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. that FEMA is poised to rescind “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” grants awarded to the territory in 2022 and 2023 for half a million dollars and more than $264,000, respectively. After questioning from Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet, Brunn acknowledged that the funds were never drawn down. Brunn said one of the grants was earmarked for St. John-based nonprofit Love City Strong and the other was for VITEMA.

Lawmakers on the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee stressed the need for government agencies to spend federal dollars before they disappear during a budget hearing for the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, Energy Office and Fire and Emergency Medical Services Tuesday.

VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen testified that the agency expects to receive a nearly $5.9 million General Fund appropriation in 2026 and $4.32 million in federal grants. Jaschen said the most significant impact to the agency is expected to be a loss of grant-funded personnel, noting that Federal Emergency Management Agency grants could evaporate “with little or no notice as FEMA redefines grant funding eligibility and expects states and territories to absorb these costs.”

The agency’s deputy director of grants management, Florecita Brunn, later told Sen. Novelle Francis Jr. that FEMA is poised to rescind “Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities” grants awarded to the territory in 2022 and 2023 for half a million dollars and more than $264,000, respectively. After questioning from Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet, Brunn acknowledged that the funds were never drawn down. Brunn said one of the grants was earmarked for St. John-based nonprofit Love City Strong and the other was for VITEMA.