Megan’s Bay Authority reports rising revenues, outlines $2M bathhouse rebuild and infrastructure plans

General Manager Monique Simon of the Megan’s Bay Authority told the Senate Committee on Finance on Aug. 18 that the authority’s revenues were up year over year and outlined a list of completed accessibility improvements and a slate of capital projects planned for fiscal year 2026, including a roughly $2 million rebuild of Bathhouse No. 1.

The authority, which operates both Megan’s Bay and Smith Bay parks, reported year-to-date gate revenue of $2,488,796 as of Aug. 15 and total revenue to date of $4,688,856.64, compared with $4,854,386.12 for all of fiscal 2024, Simon said. She told senators the parks collect revenue from gate fees, concession leases and rentals and that concession agreements now include vendors such as Wow Water Sports USVI LLC and DM Hospitality LLC.

Why it matters: The authority operates two high-profile public beaches that attract both tourists and residents; the planned capital work and concessions policy affect visitor experience, local vendors and the parks’ capacity to fund maintenance and storm recovery.

Simon highlighted recent and planned work that the authority said will improve accessibility and storm resilience: three ADA ramps installed at Bathhouse No. 3, procurement of five water wheelchairs, renovation of the Coconut Grove, new picnic benches, and a planned full rebuild of Bathhouse No. 1 to modern ADA-compliant standards. She identified a FEMA award tied to hurricane damage as a primary funding source for the bathhouse rebuild. "We have received a completed audit on 2022," Simon said when asked about audit status; she added that the authority had issued an RFP covering 2023–2025 audits.

Senators pressed the authority on finances and operations. Senator Kurt Viollet asked whether Megan’s Bay Authority had received federal funds in FY2025; Simon said the authority received a reimbursement payment tied to the 2017 hurricanes for $4,725. On staffing and pay, Simon said unionized employees received wage increases for 2025 and told the committee the authority employs 11 government-service (GS) employees in its payroll that are paid through the central ERP system. She also said the authority has eight vacancies, of which six were for positions with projected pay below $35,000.

On beach operations, senators raised recurring sargassum and seaweed management. Simon said the authority hires temporary workers and a licensed contractor for seaweed removal but told the committee that large-scale response — such as booms — is costly and under consideration. "We're going to have to invest in acquiring a boom," she said, noting both purchase and maintenance would be significant expenses.

Concession and local-business concerns surfaced during questioning. Senator Ray Fonseca asked whether upscale beach-chair setups gave the beach an exclusive feel; Simon replied that excursion groups often rent sets of chairs, creating temporary separations but that local seating remained available. Simon also said concession leases are generally five-year agreements and provided monthly figures for some leases in committee questioning: a taxi association agreement at $15,000 annually and other vendor rents (DM Hospitality and others) that she said pay monthly rents (figures provided in Q&A by the general manager during the hearing).

Simon listed priority projects for FY2026 under the authority’s strategic plan: Bathhouse No. 1 reconstruction (post‑2017 hurricane rebuild), renovation of Shed 1, bridge repairs, upgrades to septic systems, and further arboretum and nature-trail restoration. "Our commitment to preservation is evident through the completion of the restoration of the coconut grove," she told the committee.

The authority also reported modest investment and reserves: Simon told senators the authority holds a certificate of deposit totaling $681,631 and a savings and operating account. When asked about audits, she said the most recently completed audit available is for 2022 and that the authority issued an RFP to obtain audits for 2023–2025.

Ending: Senators urged the authority to provide fuller documentation to the committee — including more granular audit and position lists — and asked for follow-up on outstanding questions about concession contracts, capital outlays and seaweed-response costs. The Megan’s Bay Authority said it would supply additional details upon request and that some larger capital projects will be financed with FEMA and other external funding sources.