July 9, 2007 — The need to reduce ever-increasing gas prices and add new inspectors to the ranks of the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs dominated the discussion during the second round of budget hearings Monday, along with concerns about the regulation of illegal taxi operators.
Since DLCA Commissioner Kenrick Robertson said he "had no complaints" about the overall $5.6 million budget proposed for fiscal year 2008, most of Monday's hearing was geared toward addressing some of the department's deficiencies and getting to the bottom of a few controversial issues lingering from previous administrations.
Robertson did note, however, that the recommended FY 2008 funding level represents a 24 percent — or $1.1 million — increase that will generally go toward previously negotiated salary increases for the department's unionized employees. While DLCA does have 12 vacancies, only three new positions have been included in the budget proposal, allowing the department to hire a licensing officer, enforcement officer and inspector.
While Robertson contended that any official "who gets a 24 percent increase in their budget should be happy," some senators said the additional funding is simply a drop in the bucket, since more DLCA inspectors and law-enforcement officers are needed throughout the territory — particularly those charged with checking taxi operators, building sites and businesses that could be in violation of local laws.
"DLCA has been neglected for a long time," said Sen. Alvin L. Williams. "This is the first time I've seen such a large increase in funding for your agency, but I know it's not enough."
There are currently three inspectors and one enforcement officer on St. Croix, while the St. Thomas-St. John district has four inspectors and one enforcement officer, Robertson said. While these numbers would be bolstered slightly by positions included in the FY 2008 budget, low salaries are a problem when it comes to retaining DLCA staff, he said.
In terms of enforcement officers, for example, Robertson explained that recruits intended for DLCA are put through the same training as police recruits. At the end of the training process, some of those potential employees opt to stay at VIPD, since the salary is higher.
"This is a problem," he said. "And we should be able to offer a salary that's competitive to what's offered by the police department."
Enforcement officers and inspectors are also needed to weed out violations in grocery stores and construction sites, along with monitoring the granting of licenses to taxi operators within the territory, senators said. While the 26th Legislature issued a moratorium on issuing new taxi licenses, new operators have been popping up, Robertson said.
Reading from a letter written recently by Robertson, Sen. Celestino A. White said that at least 29 individuals have received taxi licenses since the moratorium took effect. This will change, White added, once a bill reestablishing the Taxicab Commission is passed by the full Senate and signed into law by Gov. John deJongh Jr.
"This year is not going to pass without the Taxicab Division being divested from your agency," White added.
Senators also noted a sore lack of enforcement officers at gas pumps throughout the territory, checking to make sure that consumers are "getting exactly what they paid for." DLCA officers frequent local stations every week and have reported no violations, Robertson said, but senators argued that more emphasis needs to be placed on lowering fuel rates for residents.
"It's ridiculous that we have one of the largest refineries in the world but still have to pay these incredibly high prices," said Sen. Terrence "Positive" Nelson.
While Sen. Ronald E. Russell suggested that DLCA begin subpoenaing HOVENSA's financial documents, Robertson explained that the department is awaiting a ruling from the District Court that will determine whether the department can regulate the gross profit margin realized by fuel wholesalers and retailers doing business in the territory. Once the decision is made, DLCA will also have to conduct a new study on the local retail price of gasoline, he added.
"Senators, this is not a dead issue," Robertson said. "We are considering all options available in our efforts to bring gasoline price relief to consumers in the Virgin Islands."
Robertson made clear some of the department's additional needs, including the need for new office space in both districts and increased training opportunities for DLCA employees.
He also discussed plans to move the current Vendor's Plaza on St. Thomas, possibly moving the market to the old District Court building downtown and launching a public-awareness campaign to educate residents about pyramid schemes that continue to plague the territory.
Present during Monday's meeting were Sens. Liston Davis, Carlton "Ital" Dowe, Juan Figueroa-Serville, Louis P. Hill, Neville James, Nelson, Ronald E. Russell, James Weber III, White and Williams.
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