Two New Taxi Inspectors Issue 53 Citations as Commission Seeks $1M More for Enforcement and Technology

The V.I. Taxicab Commission is asking lawmakers to increase its fiscal year 2027 budget to approximately $1.5 million, saying its approved $554,637 operating budget is insufficient to adequately staff the agency, expand enforcement, improve collections and replace outdated paper-based systems.

Executive Director Melissa Smith told the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance that an additional $1 million is needed for the commission to “effectively fulfil its statutory responsibilities,” maintaining that current funding levels “do not adequately support the operational needs of the agency.”

The approved FY 2027 operating budget totals $554,637, inclusive of $395,603 from the Taxi Revolving Fund and $160,440 from the Tourism Revolving Fund.

Smith said the larger $1.5 million request reflects “staffing, enforcement, technology, and infrastructure requirements.”

Sen. Kurt Vialet questioned where the “additional $950,000” would come from.

Smith responded that “it's an ask because we are not a traditional revenue-generating agency. We are an enforcement agency.”