Parliament of Sint Maarten
Budget 2027

Housing & Infra

Ministry · Budget 2027

DraftBefore Parliament

Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure

VROMIVolkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening, Milieu en Infrastructuur

VROMI looks after Sint Maarten's public space: roads and drains, sewerage, garbage collection and the landfill, land and building permits, housing policy and nature. In 2027 the largest share of its day-to-day money goes to the Management Service (Beheersdienst), which runs works such as garbage collection, road and district maintenance, the landfill and wastewater treatment. New items in 2027 include a Road Fund, site preparation for a new cemetery at Belvedere and money to relocate those operating at the landfill so it can be closed in phases.

Mr. Patrice T. Gumbs

Mr. Patrice T. Gumbs

Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure

2027 spendingCg 39.8MDay-to-day running costs in the draft
Share of all spending6.0%of the Cg 662.2M the draft spends in total
Own revenueCg 21.6MIncome the budget books to this ministry
Posts filled73%106 of 146 posts

Explore this ministry

Spending

Day-to-day spending

What it spends it on

The 2027 draft gives this ministry Cg 39.8M for its day-to-day running, salaries, rent, supplies, subsidies and the like. That is up Cg 3.0M on the approved 2026 budget. Investments in buildings and equipment are counted separately, further down.
  • Roads & wasteCg 16.3M41%
  • Personnel costsCg 12.7M32%
  • Other operating costsCg 8.1M20%
  • Accommodation & transportCg 2.2M6%
  • Subsidies & transfersCg 0.6M2%

By type of cost, million Cg

Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure: spending by type of cost, approved 2026 budget and 2027 draft, in million Cg
Type of cost20262027
Roads & wasteCg 15.0MCg 16.3M
Personnel costsCg 10.9MCg 12.7M
Other operating costsCg 7.3MCg 8.1M
Accommodation & transportCg 3.3MCg 2.2M
Subsidies & transfersCg 0.3MCg 0.6M
TotalCg 36.8MCg 39.8M

Rows may not add up to the total exactly because each is rounded.

Policy plans

Plans

Plans for 2027

The mission, as the budget describes it

To ensure integrated planning and sustainable management of public space in Sint Maarten, by developing and implementing effective policy and legislation and by managing and guaranteeing an optimal living, working and recreational environment for residents.

  1. Plan 1: Strengthening resilient, robust and sustainable spatial development

    Make sure every new development can withstand extreme weather and meets updated standards, with compact, well-planned land use. In 2027 the ministry starts implementing the land issuance and land price policy delivered in 2026, the spatial-economic strategy and the National Ordinance on administrative enforcement (with its enforcement policy), and works to cut backlogs through digitalisation. It also prepares the policy for a new cemetery at Belvedere together with VSA (the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, which holds the legal mandate for cemeteries).

  2. Plan 2: Improved infrastructure and sufficient supply of housing

    The ministry says the poor condition of current infrastructure requires large-scale capital investment (an ambition endorsed in the coalition agreement), and encourages public-private partnerships. It lists as necessary: expanding the sewerage network, drainage in flood-prone areas, erosion control, guardrails, asphalting main roads and paving unpaved secondary roads. Implementation of the housing policy (delivered in 2026) starts in 2027, phased over ten years, with continued cooperation with the Housing Development Foundation. A Road Fund is introduced in phases, starting with Cg 5 million from road tax (Cg 1.5 million to set it up, Cg 3.5 million for road improvements); the fund is earmarked for road resurfacing, sidewalks, street lighting, drainage and road-safety facilities. Cg 9 million of road investment sits in the capital budget, of which Cg 3.5 million is to come from the Road Fund and Cg 5.5 million from a loan still to be raised. The civil works for the new Belvedere cemetery (site preparation, infrastructure, access and utilities) also fall under this objective.

  3. Plan 3: Protecting and caring for the environment and nature

    Use land, water, beaches, ponds and biodiversity responsibly while reducing dependence on fossil fuels, through renewable energy and sustainable management of solid waste, sewerage and wastewater, backed by public information, stricter anti-pollution measures, recycling and reuse, and enforcement as the final step. 2027 activities aim at an operational updated nature policy plan (2025-2030), a national climate adaptation report, a report with adjusted environmental standards, updated waste and nature protection ordinances and a new ordinance for the waste authority. About USD 1.5 million (≈ Cg 2.7 million) is reserved to relocate those currently operating at the landfill so it can be reshaped and closed in phases.

  4. Plan 4: Improving service delivery and organisational performance within the ministry

    An organisation-wide shift towards better service: further automation and digitalisation of the permit process for shorter processing times, more transparency and predictability, and modern digital tools for the inspection and enforcement departments so files are handled and closed faster. Envisaged results are well-trained and adequately equipped inspectors, digital and automated tools for permitting and supervision, and a proposal for updated service fees. Both the English and Dutch texts say these results are envisaged "in 2026", although this is the 2027 budget.

Programmes & delivery

Programmes

Programmes and spending

The budget lists 18 programmes for this ministry, each tied to one of the plans above. Amounts are for 2027, where the ministry printed one. Programmes marked Dutch-funded are paid from Dutch money, the Country Package, the Temporary Work Organisation (TWO) or the Trust Fund, not from local taxes.

Showing 12 of 18 programmes.

  • Zoning plan

    Not stated
    Plan 1
    Intended result

    The adopted zoning plan introduced and put into operation, so it is enforceable and gives citizens and developers clarity and legal certainty about land use.

  • Implementation of green zones

    Cg 200k
    Plan 1
    Intended result

    Green zones planned, designed and sustainably managed, for a healthier, climate-resilient living environment and more ecological value.

  • Implementation of waste export

    Cg 354k
    Plan 1
    Intended result

    A working, compliant system for exporting waste as part of integrated waste management, easing local environmental pressure and keeping the waste chain running.

  • Management of cemeteries and conducting burials

    Not stated
    Plan 2
    Intended result

    Well-managed, orderly public cemeteries and respectful burials that meet legal obligations.

  • Sufficient supply of housing

    Cg 200k
    Plan 2
    Intended result

    A multi-year housing strategy, based on the housing policy 2025-2035 adopted in 2026, that aims at enough housing for everyone.

  • Design of cemetery Belvedere

    Not stated
    Plan 2
    Intended result

    An integrated plan for designing and opening the Belvedere cemetery: accessible, future-proof, meeting current and future burial needs and respecting cultural and religious diversity. (Site preparation is a separate Cg 3.5 million capital item.)

  • Home Ownership Guarantee Fund Sint Maarten

    Cg 30k
    Plan 2
    Intended result

    An operational, financially sound guarantee fund that lowers the risk for lenders and makes it easier for residents to own a home.

  • Report with standards for the quality of roads

    Not stated
    Plan 2
    Intended result

    A Road Quality Standards Report with objective standards, measurement methods and classifications for road condition, to guide maintenance planning and investment.

  • Nature Protection Ordinance

    Not stated
    Plan 3
    Intended result

    An updated and amended Nature Protection Ordinance.

  • Cooperation with stakeholder groups and capacity strengthening (Nature Foundation service level agreement)

    Cg 536k
    Plan 3
    Intended result

    A service level agreement (SLA) with the Nature Foundation, carried out as agreed; the foundation does tasks the ministry lacks the in-house capacity for.

  • Establishing a dedicated Waste Investment Fund

    Not stated
    Plan 3
    Intended result

    A fully operational, transparent fund for long-term investment in sustainable waste management.

  • Developing EIA policy

    Not stated
    Plan 3
    Intended result

    A clear policy for environmental impact assessment (EIA: checking a project's effect on the environment before it goes ahead), with set procedures and responsibilities.

Changes

Since 2026

What changed and why

The lines that moved most since the approved 2026 budget, largest change first, with the ministry's explanation where it gives one; where it gives none, we say so.

  • Staff Bureau: Relocation Fund for the EDMP project (Herhuisvestingsfonds)

    2026: Cg 02027: Cg 2.7M

    New relocation fund linked to the EDMP project (the acronym is not spelled out in the budget). The environment section describes an amount of the same size, USD 1.5 million (≈ Cg 2.7 million), reserved to move those operating at the landfill elsewhere so the landfill can be reshaped and closed in phases.

  • Staff Bureau: projects and activities (TWO-related projects and Country Package)

    2026: Cg 1.9M2027: Cg 0

    The ministry says no TWO-related projects or Country Package will be carried out in 2027 (TWO = Temporary Work Organisation). Elsewhere the budget says the arrangement for carrying out TWO projects is expected to end at the end of the first quarter of 2027. Note that the Country Package cost table still lists Cg 1.4 million for VROMI in 2027.

  • Staff Bureau: legal and other expert advice (Road Fund policy)

    2026: Cg 02027: Cg 1.5M

    To draft and adopt the Road Fund policy and the road network plan. The policy section says Cg 1.5 million of the Road Fund's initial Cg 5 million is booked as operating spending to get the fund running.

  • Management Service: security

    2026: Cg 1.1M2027: Cg 0

    Security services are no longer outsourced, so this budget is removed. The numbers book puts VROMI's 2026 security budget at Cg 1,244,107 (ROB Yard 157,680, landfill 771,067 and wastewater treatment 315,360), more than the 1.104 thousand shown in this table.

  • Management Service: maintenance of roads and waterworks

    2026: Cg 942k2027: Cg 1.5M

    To cover necessary road maintenance (+59%). The numbers book confirms 942,103 to 1,500,000.

  • Semi-private and NGO organisations (9410), subsidy and contributions: Rent Committee

    2026: Cg 02027: Cg 247k

    The Rent Committee (Huurcommissie), which handles rent disputes, moves from the Ministry of General Affairs (AZ) to VROMI. The numbers book shows committee fees of Cg 246,840.

Capital projects

Capital budget

Building and equipment

The capital budget is money for buildings, roads, vehicles and equipment, mostly paid for with borrowed money. It is separate from the day-to-day spending above. These are the projects the ministry lists for 2027, largest first.

  • Generators for GEBE (the government-owned electricity company)

    Cg 75.6M

    Printed as 75.000 on EN 151, a typo: the numbers book lists 75,600,000, and only 75.600 makes the EN 151 rows add up to the printed total of 95.212 (= VROMI's numbers-book capital total of 95,212,136, which the ledger books as one lump under 9110). The same 75.6 million also appears in the 2025 and 2026 columns. EN 178 separately says a Cg 75.6 million loan was concluded in 2024 for GEBE's benefit; the budget does not explicitly link the two. GEBE N.V. is listed as 100% government-owned on NL 102.

  • Asphalting main roads

    Cg 5M

    Together with the paving line, this is the Cg 9 million of road investment: Cg 3.5 million is to come from the Road Fund and Cg 5.5 million from a loan still to be raised. Numbers book: "Hoofdwegen" 5,000,000.

  • Paving unpaved side roads

    Cg 4M

    Numbers book: "Verharden van onverharde wegen (beton/asfalt)" 4,000,000. Financed together with main-road asphalting (see above). For 2028 the numbers book also lists Cg 6 million for "Upgrade Middle Region Fase 2, grensmuren Oost, secundaire wegen" (boundary walls East, secondary roads), which the English table does not show.

  • Site preparation for the Belvedere cemetery

    Cg 3.5M

    New in 2027; matches the numbers book (3,500,000). The ministry says the Cul de Sac public cemetery is full.

  • Dutch Quarter Road Development programme

    Cg 3.1M

    Numbers book: 3,142,335, the same amount listed in 2025, 2026 and 2027. The budget says all 2026 capital items were included again in 2027 because it is not known whether the 2026 loan will be obtained.

  • Digitalisation and automation of the building permit assessment process

    Cg 2M

    Permits department (9340, Vergunningen); matches the numbers book (2,000,000).

  • Upgrade of the sewerage network system

    Cg 1.6M

    New in 2027; matches the numbers book (1,600,000). The numbers book also schedules Cg 25.6 million for phase 1 of a wastewater treatment plant at Cay Bay in 2028, which the English table does not show.

  • Upgrading the Prince Bernhard Bridge

    Cg 370k

    Numbers book: 369,801, the same amount as in 2026 (550,000 in 2025).

This ministry's capital chapter, 2027

Cg 95,212,136

38.3% of the country's Cg 248,519,771 capital budget, to the guilder, as printed in the numbers book. Across all chapters the capital budget also covers loan repayments and study loans.

Targets & staff

Targets

Targets to track

The indicators and targets the ministry sets itself in the draft budget.

  • Staffing level (filled posts as a share of the total establishment)

    TargetAbout 81% if the 12 budgeted vacancies are filled (now 73%: 106 of 146 posts)

  • Spatial policies put into effect

    TargetImplementation of the land issuance and land price policy, the spatial-economic strategy and the National Ordinance on administrative enforcement begins in 2027

  • Road Fund introduction

    TargetPhased start in 2027 with an initial Cg 5 million from road tax: Cg 1.5 million to set the fund up and Cg 3.5 million for road-network improvements

  • Housing policy implementation

    TargetStarts in 2027, phased over ten years

  • Environmental plans and legislation targeted by 2027 activities

    Target2027 activities aim at: an operational updated nature policy plan (2025-2030), a national climate adaptation report, a report with adjusted environmental standards, an updated waste ordinance and nature protection ordinance, and a new ordinance for the waste authority

  • Permitting and inspection service results

    TargetWell-trained and adequately equipped inspectors, digital and automated tools for permitting and supervision, and a proposal for updated service fees (the text says "in 2026")

Every ministry's targets side by side →

Staffing

People and posts

How many of the ministry's posts are filled. Empty posts can mean planned work is delayed.
Posts filled73%

106 filledof 146 posts (establishment)

Posts filled
106
Empty posts with money in the budget
12
All posts (establishment)
146

Figures are from the ministry's own text: "106 of the total 146 positions are filled (73%)", 12 vacancies budgeted, about 81% if they are filled. The table on the same page totals differently: 107 filled of 145 (73%), 12 budgeted vacancies, 119 posts in the budget and 26 unbudgeted vacancies. Its row labelled "Total staffing" (53 filled, 10 budgeted vacancies, 84 posts) does not equal the sum of the nine department rows above it (55 filled, 2 budgeted vacancies, 62 posts); the source does not explain the difference. EN 144 says 13 vacancies are reserved. The personnel annex (Staat B, NL 74) gives 106 current staff, 145 required posts (106 of 145 is about 73%; no percentage is printed there), 13 budgeted vacancies (Cg 907,324), 119 budgeted posts and 39 vacancies in total.

Staffing across government →
Risks

Risks

Risks to delivery

The risks the ministry names itself. It scores each for how likely it is and how much damage it would do, from 1 to 5. Highest combined score first.

  • Lack of digital transformation and automation

    LikelihoodImpact

    Without modern digital systems, processes stay slow, labour-intensive and error-prone; VROMI falls behind departments and partners that work digitally and service quality comes under pressure.

  • Inadequate policy for sustainable burial practices and future land use

    LikelihoodImpact

    Cemetery and burial rules need modernising because of population growth and scarce land for traditional burials. If VSA (Public Health) and VROMI do not prioritise this, the country may be unprepared.

  • Worsening flooding and environmental damage

    LikelihoodImpact

    Not maintaining and expanding the sewerage network and drainage can bring frequent flooding in vulnerable areas, damaging property, infrastructure and the environment and hampering economic activity.

  • Insufficient burial capacity and societal risks

    LikelihoodImpact

    The public cemetery at Cul de Sac has reached its maximum capacity. If an alternative site is not delivered in time, Sint Maarten may have no physical space for burials, causing acute social, public-health and administrative problems as well as reputational damage for the government.

  • Deterioration of environmental quality

    LikelihoodImpact

    Without updated environmental standards, waste ordinances and effective enforcement, pollution of air, water and soil may increase, with direct effects on public health. (This score is printed on the introductory line of the objective's risk list, directly above this risk.)

  • Reduced confidence of citizens and businesses

    LikelihoodImpact

    If service delivery does not improve, slow procedures, unclear communication and unpredictable decisions frustrate residents and entrepreneurs and undermine trust in government. (This score is printed on the introductory line of the objective's risk list, directly above this risk.)

Detailed budget lines

The numbers book

The biggest budget lines

The numbers book (Getallenboek, in the Dutch submission) lists every line of spending to the guilder. These are this ministry's 10 largest lines for 2027, with the Dutch wording as printed.
Search all 158 lines for this ministry

  • Garbage collection

    Vuilophaal

    Maintenance Service (roads & waste)

    2026Cg 7,673,914
    2027Cg 6,870,000
    Down Cg 803,914 vs 2026

  • Other maintenance & repair

    Overige Onderhoud en Reparatie

    Maintenance Service (roads & waste)

    2026Cg 2,874,769
    2027Cg 4,333,000
    Up Cg 1,458,231 vs 2026

  • Gross salaries

    Brutolonen en Salarissen

    Maintenance Service (roads & waste)

    2026Cg 3,387,276
    2027Cg 4,253,289
    Up Cg 866,013 vs 2026

  • Projects & activities

    Projecten en Activiteiten

    Staff bureau

    2026Cg 2,743,274
    2027Cg 4,100,000
    Up Cg 1,356,726 vs 2026

  • Other maintenance & repair

    Overige Onderhoud en Reparatie

    Maintenance Service (roads & waste)

    2026Cg 2,552,012
    2027Cg 2,587,837
    Up Cg 35,825 vs 2026

  • Accountancy, advisory & SLAs

    Accountants- en Advieskosten en SLA's

    Staff bureau

    2026Cg 2,831,763
    2027Cg 2,135,474
    Down Cg 696,289 vs 2026

  • Road & waterworks maintenance

    Onderhoud Wegen en Waterstaat

    Maintenance Service (roads & waste)

    2026Cg 942,103
    2027Cg 1,500,000
    Up Cg 557,897 vs 2026

  • Other maintenance & repair

    Overige Onderhoud en Reparatie

    Maintenance Service (roads & waste)

    2026Cg 840,000
    2027Cg 1,000,000
    Up Cg 160,000 vs 2026

  • Road & waterworks maintenance

    Onderhoud Wegen en Waterstaat

    Maintenance Service (roads & waste)

    2026Cg 957,918
    2027Cg 957,918
    No change vs 2026

  • Gross salaries

    Brutolonen en Salarissen

    Minister's cabinet

    2026Cg 937,766
    2027Cg 935,713
    Down Cg 2,053 vs 2026
For you

In plain English

What this means for you

Our summary of the ministry's chapter. The figures in it come from the pages cited on this page.

  • VROMI's day-to-day budget is Cg 39.8 million in 2027, up about 8% from Cg 36.8 million; about 63% of it (Cg 25.0 million) goes to the Management Service, which handles garbage collection, district and road maintenance, the landfill and wastewater treatment. Separately, its 2027 investment list totals Cg 95.2 million, of which Cg 75.6 million is for GEBE generators. The same amount also appeared in the 2025 and 2026 lists; the English table prints it as 75.000 (Cg 75.0 million), but the Dutch numbers book and the table's own total give 75.6 million.

  • Roads: a Road Fund is due to start in 2027 with Cg 5 million from road tax (Cg 1.5 million to set it up, Cg 3.5 million for road improvements), road maintenance rises from Cg 942 thousand to Cg 1.5 million, and Cg 9 million is planned to asphalt main roads (Cg 5 million) and pave unpaved side roads (Cg 4 million), of which Cg 5.5 million is to come from a loan still to be raised. Another part of the budget (EN 18) says that from 2028 onwards motor vehicle tax revenue is expected to go to the Road Fund, in line with the Road Fund Ordinance.

  • Burials: the ministry says the public cemetery at Cul de Sac is full. Cg 3.5 million is planned to prepare the site of a new cemetery at Belvedere, cemetery maintenance and construction rises from Cg 300 thousand to Cg 450 thousand, and the ministry rates the risk of running out of burial space at 4 for likelihood and 5 for impact (out of 5).

  • Waste: about USD 1.5 million (≈ Cg 2.7 million) is reserved to relocate those operating at the landfill so it can be reshaped and closed in phases. The garbage-collection contracts budget falls from Cg 7.67 million to Cg 6.87 million (about -10%, although the English table prints 0%), and outsourced security, mainly at the landfill and wastewater plant, ends.

  • Permits and service: 106 of 146 posts are filled and 12 vacancies are funded. The ministry warns that slow, manual permit handling risks missed legal deadlines and court cases and holds back housing, construction and bank financing; Cg 2 million is planned to digitise building-permit assessment. The Rent Committee, which settles rent disputes, moves to VROMI from General Affairs with Cg 247 thousand.

2027–2030

The four-year path

The budget's own forecast for this ministry's day-to-day spending, in whole millions. The years after 2027 are estimates and usually change in later budgets.
20272030Cg 38M
2027 draft
Cg 40M
2028 estimate
Cg 39M
2029 estimate
Cg 38M
2030 estimate
Cg 38M
The line zooms in on the range of these years; the small bars start at zero.
Sources and publication notes