The Virgin Islands Department of Labor (VIDOL) issued a reminder on Wednesday to all employers regarding the new Payroll Variation Tax methodology and Experience Rating System that took effect on January 1, 2024. This announcement follows extensive briefings conducted from February to November 2023 and a December 2023 press release detailing the new Unemployment Tax rates. These updates were legislated under Act 8209 and further amended by Act 8827.

It is important for employers to distinguish this update from any delays related to the deployment of the online Employer Portal.

The updated tax framework assigns new rates to employers, which include:

• Total Contribution Rate: This is a combination of a base contribution rate and a fund solvency factor, which is recalculated annually based on the ratio of total wages to taxable wages across all employers.
• Tax Rate Factor: This element adjusts the employer tax rate to include an experience factor for the specified period.

According to VIDOL, some employers have mistakenly submitted their first quarterly reports of 2024 using the previous tax rates, which does not comply with the current labor laws. These discrepancies may lead to the accrual of interest on any unpaid taxes.

Employers seeking further clarification or assistance can reach out to the VIDOL Tax Unit at (340) 773-1994 for St. Croix or (340) 776-3700 for St. Thomas.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is in Hawaii participating in the National Governors Association (NGA) Energy Security, Resilience and Recovery Roundtable, joined by leading emergency management officials from the U.S. Virgin Islands. This participation was confirmed by Richard Motta Jr., the Communications Director of the Government House, during a press briefing in St. Croix.

At the roundtable, Governor Bryan is engaging with issues pivotal to energy security that particularly impact remote regions like the U.S. Virgin Islands. The discussions cover a range of challenges such as natural threats, isolated energy networks, fuel supply disruptions, and governance in utility sectors. The event gathers federal leaders and representatives from Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Marianas Islands, and Puerto Rico.

This engagement occurs amidst a declared state of emergency in the Virgin Islands due to ongoing complications with the local Water and Power Authority’s generation capabilities. Governor Bryan’s involvement is seen as a crucial step in driving collaborative initiatives to strengthen the territory’s energy resilience.

During Governor Bryan’s time away, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach has assumed the role of acting governor. Governor Bryan is expected to return on May 18.

In other news, Richard Motta Jr. highlighted the upcoming USVI 2024 Wellness Fair, scheduled from June 1-9. This event is a collaborative effort between the VI Department of Health, the Governor’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Health and Innovative Readiness Training Program, offering free dental, optometry, and general medical screenings by over 270 health professionals. The fair, set to take place at the St. Croix Educational Complex and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas, will also feature mental wellness assessments and back-to-school vaccinations available at Maternal and Child Health clinics across the three islands.

Additionally, Motta shared Governor Bryan’s congratulations to the recent graduates of the University of the Virgin Islands. The commencement ceremonies, which took place last Thursday and Friday on St. Thomas and St. Croix, celebrated the new cohort of leaders and innovators poised to contribute to the local and broader community. Governor Bryan expressed his pride in their achievements and looks forward to their future contributions.

Monique Simon has been named the new general manager of Magens Bay Authority, as announced in a recent press release.

Highlighting her impressive background in operational leadership and her commitment to eco-friendly tourism initiatives, the announcement expresses confidence in her ability to propel the Authority through an ambitious growth trajectory. Simon’s prior roles include serving as the operations manager at the V.I. Department of Justice and nearly fourteen years as the customer service manager at the Water and Power Authority. In her new position, she will manage the overall functionality of the facility, focusing on visitor services, conservation, and infrastructure enhancements.

Expressing her enthusiasm about the appointment, Ms. Simon remarked, “Magens Bay holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of many. I am dedicated to enhancing its venerable legacy while introducing forward-thinking strategies to ensure its sustainability and ongoing prosperity.”

A Navy veteran with a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands, Simon succeeds Hurbert Brumant. The former general manager, Mr. Brumant, is currently engaged in litigation against Magens Bay Authority, claiming wrongful termination. He alleges his dismissal was due to his refusal to overlook questionable business practices, purportedly pressured by several board members.