Bryan submitted supplemental budget bill to 35th Legislature

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. submitted a supplemental budget bill to the 35th Legislature on Aug. 9, 2023, seeking to reprogram funds previously allocated to the Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority for fiscal 2023 capital projects.

According to Government House, the bill would appropriate $25 million from the General Fund for outstanding retroactive wage payments to eligible current and former government employees, $118,800 to the Office of Veterans Affairs for additional costs for St. Croix crypts, and $5 million from the Transportation Trust Fund to the Department of Public Works for road maintenance projects.

The measure also would reprogram remaining funds from a series of capital projects previously funded through the Public Finance Authority.

Government House said the reallocation under Act No. 8617 would fund crypts and a columbarium on St. Croix and provide money for retroactive wage payments to eligible active, separated and retired government employees.

The bill also would amend Act No. 8448 to redirect a $300,000 appropriation for the pier at Kings Alley in Christiansted, St. Croix, which Government House said is no longer owned by the Virgin Islands government. Under the proposal, $100,000 would go to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources' Division of Libraries and Museums facilities and $200,000 would go to the Hull Bay Boat Ramp and Parking Improvements Project.

Government House said Act No. 8640 would be amended to allocate $5 million from the Transportation Trust Fund to Public Works for additional road maintenance, including the Mahogany Road project on St. Croix and repairs to Estate Nazareth and Estate Bovoni roads.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-submits-supplemental-budget-bill-to-35th-legislature/