U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. addressed residents of the Territory Monday in a live briefing from Government House, where he designated Julio A. Rhyme Sr. to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Governor Bryan was also joined by VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen and Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien.
No stranger to the role, Rhymer served as Director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2018. He is a distinguished finance executive with more than 30 years of experience who has also served as the Chief Financial Officer at the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and was the Chief Financial Officer at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority from 2014 to 2018. Under Rhymer’s leadership, the Water and Power Authority improved financial stability and spearheaded recovery efforts after the 2017 hurricanes.
Going forward, Rhymer said it is his intent to rebuild the Office of Management and Budget, “Building accountability, efficiency and having the government move in an effective way.” He says he will concentrate on fostering collaboration with government departments to be sure that federal funds are spent in a timely fashion.
VITEMA Director Jaschen began his remarks with a somber reminder of the strength of Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, which made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday, Sept. 26, with winds of 140 miles per hour and storm surge estimated at 15 feet. Helene continued to move inland with its path of destruction covering six states, and as of today, CNN reported102 deaths over a 500-mile path. More than 2 million people remain without power, and many are running short on potable water.
Tropical Storm Kirk is in the Atlantic and moving west with sustained winds to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Kirk is likely to become a hurricane by tomorrow and could become a major hurricane by midweek.
An elevated heat advisory was in effect for the Island of St. Croix on Monday and a period of dangerously hot and humid conditions is expected. Jaschen urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned environments, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! If heat stroke is suspected, Call 9 1 1.
Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien provided an update on the finalization of all fixed cost offers for FEMA 428 Public Assistance projects. This achievement, ahead of the September 30, 2024 deadline, complies with the stipulations outlined in the recent FEMA Cost Share adjustment that increased the level of federal funding available to the Territory.
“We are very, very pleased with what we have been able to accomplish here with FEMA,” Williams-Octalien said. “We really want to thank FEMA.”
Governor Bryan thanked the 35th Legislature for passing the 2025 budget bills, getting the line of credit done at the same time producing innovative, revenue-generating legislation. “I have to commend the leadership — Senate President Novelle Francis and Finance Chair Donna Frett-Gregory for getting us through a very trying budget cycle” Governor Bryan said.
Governor Bryan noted that he has been fielding a lot of calls and concern surrounding legislation that calls for a 3 percent wire transfer tax on transfers to foreign destinations. “I have not seen the bill in its final stage but I’m getting calls focused on the fact that a wire transfer covers a lot of transactions,” Bryan said.
Governor Bryan noted that the Legislature is to impose this tax on WesternUnion and Moneygram transactions headed to foreign destinations. “We need to be patient and see what the bill offers.”
Acknowledging that the community has strong opinions about it and needs the ability to weigh in, Governor Bryan encouraged email comments to be sent to governmenthouse@go.vi
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov
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