Property & Procurement seeks $24.07 million for repairs, digital procurement roll‑out and fleet controls

Commissioner Lisa Maria Alejandro told the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance that the Department of Property and Procurement’s FY2026 operating request is $24,068,337 and described priorities that include building repairs, a territorial fuel‑card transition, and the government‑wide rollout of an e‑procurement platform.

“Building on our goals to redefining and elevating the operational climate with new business solutions and improved practices, we describe DPP's leveling up endeavors and the FY2026 budget request that will allow us to continue unlocking growth and improvement,” Alejandro said in prepared testimony.

Why it matters: DPP is the central procurement, leasing and fleet management agency for the executive branch. Decisions about repairs, lease rates, vehicle management, and the procurement platform influence government operating costs, vendor payments and revenue the government collects from public property.

Major points and details - Budget totals and funds: Alejandro said the FY2026 request totals $24,068,337 — $18,868,337 in appropriated funds (general fund, business & commercial revolving fund, indirect cost fund) and $5,200,000 in non‑appropriated funds (central motor pool, central warehouse, gasoline coupon and printing/production funds). The general fund portion was described as $14,616,564. - Facilities and capital needs: The commissioner outlined concentrated capital needs in the St. Croix District — main building roof repair, elevator work, modular HVAC replacement, printing shop HVAC and wall repairs, and parking/driveway flooding remediation. She told the committee the FY2026 capital outlay request would help avoid higher future costs and address safety risks. - Leasing and revenue: DPP manages about 179 tenant leases that generate a rent roll of $4,039,169.96 annually; the department had collected $3,197,822.57 in the business and commercial fund as of June 20, 2025. DPP also manages 153 executive‑branch leaseholds (annual cost to the government about $12.45 million). The department said it is positioning expiring long‑term leases (many from the 1970s–1980s) for renegotiation to improve returns. - Procurement modernization and training: The e‑procurement system GVI buy is in production testing and live for requisitioning, solicitations and contract management. DPP reported training for several agencies and said it secured NASPO partnership grants and two NASPO‑funded procurement interns; the department proposed a three‑way partnership with NASPO and the University of the Virgin Islands to develop procurement career pipelines. - Central motor pool and fuel controls: DPP reported a fleet of 1,899 vehicles (including 22 vessels) and said it is evaluating a territorial fuel‑card system to eliminate manual coupons on Saint Croix and Saint John and to provide real‑time fuel reporting. Year‑to‑date gasoline spend figures cited were $2,581,912.87 (FY2025 to date) and $2,722,942.46 for FY2024; DPP projected ~ $2.9 million for the full FY2025 year. - Property valuation and asset management: DPP said insured property value is approximately $1.2 billion. The department reported acquiring an asset‑management warehouse (for fixed‑asset custodians and inventory operations), centralizing inventory and planning training for fixed‑asset custodians.

Senators’ questions and follow‑ups - Vendor payments and allotments: CFO Lady Shauna Martin told senators DPP’s allotments had not been reduced and that vendor payments pending with Department of Finance fall within a 30‑day processing window. Senators asked for greater transparency on pending items; Martin agreed to provide detailed breakdowns. - Lease management and enforcement: Senators pressed DPP about rent collections, unutilized leased space and the process for renegotiating long‑term leases. Assistant Commissioner Vincent Richards said the department is reviewing expirations and will seek market‑aligned rent where feasible. - Appraisals and valuation: Senators asked about appraisals and a territory‑wide valuation. Martin said DPP had completed about 30 individual appraisals in FY2025 (cost to date ~$58,100) and noted that a full property portfolio valuation is costly and sensitive to rapid market changes.

Quotes - “The Department of Property and Procurements, FY 2026 operating budget request is $24,068,337,” Commissioner Lisa Maria Alejandro said in testimony. - “GVI buy is in live testing production; requisitioning, soliciting, drafting and executing contracts, and contract management are fully functioning,” testimony said of the e‑procurement rollout.

Ending Lawmakers asked DPP to supply supplemental line‑item actuals and vendor payment lists, and they encouraged continued rollout of GVI buy, tighter fleet controls and an appraisal strategy that balances cost and usefulness. Alejandro closed by recognizing staff and asking the legislature to support the FY2026 request so the agency can complete deferred repairs and finish several digital modernization projects.

Sections: Lede: Commissioner Lisa Maria Alejandro asked legislators to approve a $24.07 million FY2026 budget, emphasizing repairs, digital procurement and fleet modernization. Nut graf: DPP manages procurement, leases and the government fleet; the request would fund building repairs, a full e‑procurement rollout and tighter fuel/fleet controls that could reduce recurring costs. Ending: The committee requested additional financial detail and documentation; DPP agreed to provide follow‑up figures and timelines for capital projects and e‑procurement payments.