Concerns Over King Airport Parking Garage Might Affect Hertz, Budget, and Avis

All Port Authority board members were present on St. Thomas on Wednesday to vote on several items, including the upcoming 2024 budget, insurance renewals, project developments and property renewals, with a lengthy discussion concerning car rental leases.

The board voted and approved many action items, some with easygoing votes and others that created heightened tensions. After a late start, the board immediately entered into executive session. Then, the board started on a long list of action items.

Members unanimously approved $246 million as the fiscal year budget for 2024. They also unanimously approved liability coverage for the Port Authority public officials’ insurance. The renewal policy totals $109,146. Likewise, the board unanimously approved to renew the builder’s risk insurance coverage for the Cyril E. King transportation center. The approved premium, which totals $362,208, extends the $6 million coverage. Also, the board unanimously approved an Federal Aviation Administration airport improvement grant agreement in the amount of $1,467,899 for the King Airport Taxiway A West project.

Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte questioned why poll votes such as these don’t go through committee. Deputy Executive Director Anise Hodge responded that they usually do; however, to secure the best premium regarding market responses, some votes come “quick and fast.”