Virgin Islands Waste Authority Faces $15M Annual Funding Gap Amid Service Delays

The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority is experiencing operational disruptions in St. Thomas and St. Croix. The authority faces an annual funding gap of roughly $15 million, with annual operating costs totaling $58.4 million against $40 million in government appropriations and $3.5 million in tipping-fee revenue. As of October 31, the authority held approximately $41.3 million in outstanding accounts payable, much of which stems from hurricane-related obligations.

The financial instability and service delays raise concerns about core municipal operations in the islands. The authority owes its landfill operator more than $9 million, and government allotments have been running three to four months behind schedule, complicating payments to contractors and vendors.