USVI Community Pulse
Property Tax Auction Sale Dates Set for June 2024
The Lieutenant Governor’s Office has released the schedule for the upcoming real property tax auction sales. These auctions are set to take place in the District of St. Thomas & St. John on Monday, June 3, and Tuesday, June 4, 2024, and in the District of St. Croix on Tuesday, June 11, and Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
Interested parties can find the Final Auction Lists published in local newspapers and on the Citizen Access Portal at propertytax.vi.gov, available 30 days prior to each auction.
Registration Details
To participate, bidders must be present in person and register by the close of business the day before the auction. A non-refundable registration fee of $50 is required. All necessary registration documents will also be available online 30 days before the auction.
Exclusions for Payment Plans
Properties currently under a payment plan for delinquent taxes will not be included in the auction. Property owners can initiate or maintain payment plans through the online portal at propertytax.vi.gov.
About the Final Auction List
Once properties are listed on the Final Auction List for a district, no new payment plans will be accepted for those properties. To withdraw a property from the auction, full payment of all due taxes, interest, penalties, and fees must be made by 3:00 PM on the business day preceding the auction.
Additional Contact Information
For further details, contact the Tax Collector’s Office:
- St. Thomas/St. John Office: (340) 774-2991
- St. Croix Office: (340) 773-6449
This auction provides a critical opportunity for the government to address tax delinquencies while offering investors a chance to acquire properties at potentially reduced rates.
USVI Community Pulse
Plaskett Commemorates Fallen VI Officers Added to National Law Enforcement Memorial
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett held a poignant reception this week to honor National Police Week, paying tribute to two fallen heroes from the U.S. Virgin Islands—Detective Delbert Phipps Jr. and Patrolman Lionel E. Isaac. These officers of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) lost their lives in the line of duty and will now be memorialized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.
“Their names will be forever engraved, and their integrity forever maintained,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “Our men and women of the Virgin Islands Police Department give their full measure of devotion, their bravery, resilience, and dedication to perform their duties faithfully, and make the ultimate sacrifice.”
The event was attended by VIPD Commissioner Ray Martinez, VIPD officers, and the family of Detective Phipps Jr. Reflecting on the occasion, Commissioner Martinez emphasized the importance of honoring the fallen officers and supporting their families.
“While today is a solemn time for us, today is a good time to see my officers smiling and celebrate the lives of Detective Phipps and Patrolman Isaac,” said Commissioner Martinez. “This provides us and the Phipps family the opportunity to know that we are not alone. As much as it pains us for our loss, they will not be forgotten. Standing as a police commissioner, I couldn’t be more proud to be here and pay homage to our brothers in arms.”
Denise Phipps, the mother of Detective Phipps Jr., shared her emotions during the reception, expressing both sorrow and gratitude for the recognition of her son’s sacrifice.
“I lost my son Detective Phipps on July 4, 2023. One of the worst days of my life,” said Denise Phipps. “I am honored, and it feels a bit bittersweet as they remember and honor my son. What a joy and sadness to see that his name is there.”
National Police Week serves as a time to honor law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to recognize the service and sacrifice of all officers. The inclusion of Detective Phipps and Patrolman Isaac on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall ensures that their bravery and dedication will be remembered and honored for generations to come.
USVI Community Pulse
J. Benton Construction Celebrates Over a Decade of Dedication to Safety During Construction Safety Week 2024
J. Benton Construction, a prominent leader in construction safety and innovation, is celebrating its 11th year of active participation in Construction Safety Week, observed from May 6-10, 2024, on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. This year’s theme, “Value Every Voice,” underscores J. Benton’s commitment to fostering a safety-first culture on all its projects.
Throughout the week, J. Benton Construction conducted numerous “Toolbox Talks” across its various job sites, including the Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute Interior Renovations at the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas and the Walter I.M. Hodge Redevelopment on St. Croix. These sessions, which aligned with this year’s theme, concluded with quizzes and gift card awards to engage and reward staff for their safety knowledge and active participation.
Emphasizing safety and readiness, J. Benton implemented emergency evacuation drills at job sites territory-wide, including office staff, to ensure comprehensive preparedness across all levels of the company, according to a release issued Thursday.
In addition to these safety initiatives, J. Benton Construction showed appreciation for its team’s dedication to maintaining high safety standards by providing catered lunches throughout the week and distributing exclusive JBC-branded merchandise.
Construction Safety Week 2024 aims to empower individuals at all levels of a project to speak up and contribute to safety practices, striving for zero incidents and ensuring that every worker returns home safely each day.
USVI Community Pulse
Dept. of Labor Announces Enforcement of New Tax Rates, Highlights Penalties for Non-Compliance
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.
-
Education9 months ago
CTE Board Enthusiastic About New Curriculum Standards, Yet Anxious Over Apprenticeship Support
-
Development3 weeks ago
Costs Surge as Donoe Estates Housing Project Resumes with New Contractor
-
Crime9 months ago
Registered Sex Offender Detained for Illegal Firearm Possession During Annual Surveillance Drive
-
Crime7 months ago
St. John’s Westin Resort Scene of Armed Robbery, Prompting Heightened Police Vigilance
-
Crime9 months ago
Unraveling the Home Invasion in St. John: Suspect Held on $100,000 Bail
-
Crime9 months ago
U.S. Virgin Islands Alert: Megan Smith Goes Missing; Authorities Request Community Aid
-
Videos2 years ago
2022 Gubernatorial Election: Voters Speak Out
-
Videos2 years ago
Gubernatorial Teams Celebrate St. Croix’s Bull & Bread Day