Bryan names Julio A. Rhymer Sr. to lead Office of Management and Budget

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on Sept. 30 that he had designated Julio A. Rhymer Sr. to serve as director of the Virgin Islands Office of Management and Budget.

Bryan announced the selection during a Government House briefing that also included VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen and Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne Williams-Octalien.

Rhymer previously served as OMB director in 2018. Government House said he also served as chief financial officer at the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority and at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority from 2014 to 2018.

At the briefing, Rhymer said he intended to rebuild the Office of Management and Budget by focusing on accountability, efficiency and collaboration with government departments, including timely spending of federal funds.

Jaschen said Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds and an estimated 15-foot storm surge. He also said Tropical Storm Kirk was moving west in the Atlantic with sustained winds near 50 mph and was forecast to strengthen.

Jaschen said an elevated heat advisory was in effect for St. Croix on Sept. 30.

Williams-Octalien said the territory had finalized all fixed-cost offers for FEMA 428 Public Assistance projects before the Sept. 30 deadline tied to a FEMA cost-share adjustment.

Bryan also said the 35th Legislature had passed the fiscal 2025 budget bills and addressed concerns about legislation calling for a 3% wire-transfer tax on transfers to foreign destinations. He said he had not yet seen the bill in its final form and that residents should wait to review its provisions.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-selects-julio-a-rhymer-sr-for-director-of-the-office-of-management-and-budget/