Executive order gave Finance Department sole authority over government check-verification systems

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed an executive order giving the Virgin Islands Finance Department responsibility for all aspects of check-verification systems used by agencies and departments of the Virgin Islands government, according to a Government House announcement published Nov. 8, 2019.

The order cited an increase in non-sufficient-funds checks and assigned the department responsibility for fiscal management and implementation of check-verification systems within central government.

Government House said dishonored checks totaled $4.4 million in fiscal year 2018 and $3 million in fiscal year 2019 as of Nov. 8, 2019.

Under the order, the Finance Department was authorized to require agencies to use check-verification services and became the only agency allowed to procure those systems for government agencies and departments. Agencies directed to use a system could not decline without written consent from Finance Commissioner Kirk Callwood Sr. or Gov. Bryan.

The order also said an agency required to use a check-verification system could lose the value of qualifying NSF checks in future monetary releases or appropriations if those checks were not entered into the system.

Government House said Acting Gov. Tregenza A. Roach and Acting Lt. Gov. Novelle Francis Jr. signed the order on Oct. 29, 2019, and that it took effect immediately.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-gives-finance-department-sole-responsibility-for-government-check-verification-systems/