[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6207516,"mediaKeyId","3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7","parentId",3754616,"title","OMB requests $6.4M in general fund for FY2026 and proposes in‑house fiscal responsibility unit to replace party fiduciary","audioSeconds",659,"startMs",20831000,"endMs",21490000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7&start=20831&end=21490","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7/thumbnail_20831000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6207516/OMB-requests-64M-in-general-fund-for-FY2026-and-proposes-inhouse-fiscal-responsibility-unit-to-replace-party-fiduciary","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207516-9d0ca9e11af2cc875fef56da6afcd1f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770554586&Signature=RTOHCnFFsOzzvdy-~qXJuepK192nlUalGS1NPB0cQFFnwOVgk2K0AFrEr2rkInZ9RGPbVJvLQpo75qVgotzV~AufMIGo6C~QfCg0-hTjAJsO2ekvOpvsjujL6SjGGCcAnoyk-ltm-HaWxrcgiOD8I1HT4GAlLB94iD5TCuNeU0is3XzjXYn7AsOSrGjj5wnyVSlh7I7key0X2byOfRkB~JB3o9h~TQB5s8ApFgbPyaDl8sTlB3YNFmXNfB~aSRRCfDK5kTc-r1A~5Jt9INczO-jaUrWGcVVruYYO~IP2Kn88E9c05gfhi-8divMy5lY8ActSY3GF2ij8c2iBuK0i7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Legislature USVI","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","Julio A. Reimer Sr., director of the Office of Management and Budget, testified on June 10, 2025 that OMB’s FY2026 general fund request is $6,400,000 and the office will continue to manage federal grants and single audit responsibilities. Reimer told the committee that the FY2026 package includes a $500,000 addition to establish a Fiscal Responsibility Unit that is intended to replace external party‑fiduciary oversight by October 1, 2025.

Why it matters: OMB’s proposed unit will take a central role in ensuring federal and local compliance, drawing federal funds on time and addressing repeated audit findings across agencies. The office also manages several federal awards that drive capital and recovery spending in the territory.

Key components of the request and programs
- Budget mix: $6.4M general fund request; additional indirect cost and federal grant balances shown separately (OMB presented a $27.1M BEAD allocation and a $10.02M EDA economic adjustment award as part of the federal portfolio).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06-10-2025 Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance","oneSentenceSummary","The Office of Management and Budget requested $6.4 million in general fund support for FY2026 and outlined plans to create a fiscal responsibility unit to assume party fiduciary functions and improve grant compliance, indirect cost management and agency turnaround work.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature, Virgin Islands","taxId",77876,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6207519,"Internal Revenue Bureau seeks $14.06M for FY2026 as collections rise to $599M through May",481,20329000,20810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7&start=20329&end=20810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7/thumbnail_20329000.jpg","/articles/6207519/Internal-Revenue-Bureau-seeks-1406M-for-FY2026-as-collections-rise-to-599M-through-May","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207519-24737b572af33769b05ab12efb0cd451/orig.mp4?Expires=1770554586&Signature=eR-vlF7hmlKx3Oohk6D2HshwCDrfelZk1bJkmnZ5QbQwmx56wnqYmU4m473FAVjHaIce1XZ1nyJyPGb35FQwhx~DqL4JK18Zi5lmElUvlB0h39ALW~ysaBUnP7ez0WvYWp~W5bG1NlRRqF07qZYkK4eFRyRbUdBKkKI7Iu8fO1EJHb3KH2L7g02~p~mXskAV-B1ZxnE8YNvjTi81fpgrSVoEvkuQwmQFyv4ca5ZQa9IgXuyadeYb4~t3uUDpzQQ3gTa1eSSumzko-Hnd8wfbYA5ea6s6toFv9jxgJ~jPrbXTkI4PuJsFN4Faf2AqVMYheglUCkTJPE6hRNIWRSHVBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joel Ailey, director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, presented a $14,060,535 FY2026 operating budget to the legislature on June 10, 2025. The request is fully funded from the general fund and is centered on personnel: 133 positions (89 St. Thomas, 43 St. Croix, 1 St. John) and related fringe costs.

Collections and refunds
Ailey reported collections of approximately $599 million for October–May (compared with $566 million for the same period the prior fiscal year). He attributed increases in part to national economic activity and stronger enforcement steps. The bureau said it has paid $34.9 million in refunds this fiscal year and had about $42 million in refunds processed and ready to pay at the hearing; staff said they have begun paying 2023 refunds and activated an online filing option for 2024 returns (937 registered users and $648,431 in payments logged through the new portal).

Operations, space and staffing
The bureau said its FY2026 request covers 133 positions and operational needs including four rental locations (the main St. Thomas office at East End Plaza/Red Hook carries most of the rental cost), IT maintenance, postage and security. The bureau said it will close a satellite excise office at the St. Croix airport as an austerity measure. Staffing challenges remain: the bureau reported 21 vacancies and flagged difficulty recruiting revenue officers and tax examiners because of limited local supply of qualified accountants and competitive private‑sector pay.

Concerns raised in questioning
Committee members pressed the bureau on: reconciliation timeliness, audit completion and staffing; the cost and timing of office rent (Red Hook); aging of accounts payable in other departments that affect IRB’s ability to reconcile revenues; and the tourism revolving fund balance — a figure of roughly $88.09 million cited by internal accounting staff drew immediate requests for a reconciled ledger and breakout.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decisions
- Discussion: senators reviewed the IRB’s collection gains, the backlog of refunds and the difficulty recruiting specialized staff. Questions focused on reconciliation and the bureau’s large rental expense.
- Direction: committee requested detailed reconciliations for the tourism revolving fund, a schedule of refunds awaiting payment and an updated vacancy list and hiring plan.
- Decision: No appropriation vote; the bureau’s request will move through the normal budget process.

What’s next: IRB will provide the committee with requested supporting documents including detailed refunds inventory, reconciliations and vacancy/hiring updates.","Director Joel Ailey told the budget committee the Internal Revenue Bureau's FY2026 request is $14,060,535. The bureau reported year‑to‑date collections up vs. the prior year and highlighted new online filing and an ongoing refunds backlog.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6207524,"Public Finance Authority approves $26.11M FY2026 budget; Office of Disaster Recovery seeks $12.21M and $4M seed funds",3202,6298000,9500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7&start=6298&end=9500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7/thumbnail_6298000.jpg","/articles/6207524/Public-Finance-Authority-approves-2611M-FY2026-budget-Office-of-Disaster-Recovery-seeks-1221M-and-4M-seed-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207524-6d8f84ac9b8b479838b43050f0d82387/orig.mp4?Expires=1770554586&Signature=Bgd8O97PDboH-orEUOzW4Ole2mZvYrwseNrd-Nx~ps~T886-q01xm0ZfmT3jxO0yvY6Rl7iCFAk2-DywAXKWWS0tphbtpr6C5PZelZ5MUTmRjqquPUKmuvE7k84sWehrSTmwulg0a8UD04Znnn90k3ga1fGcHGUkrIIC9hfzarMdRtlIW~ExqQRxybqQGe-81NZzosCKXgdgPKLD5r4bxWYkyjrS07qaJNRqbXdHxLvelNpNiXGbwkhXAzM8BWwA7zTAP4qklfMncdcIPvZTbrmbd56j~pqUS-uU6F4DoyY6ZgaNtmbKXik5seiNL4CYC1-DDPvEgZP3jRtD5gwaGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority (PFA) told the legislature on June 10 that its FY2026 administrative and operations budget is $26,110,000, a decrease of roughly 21% from FY2025, driven by lower consultancy and vacancy budgeting. Director Nathan Simmons told senators the PFA budget will be funded from a mix of gross receipts, general fund appropriations, federal reimbursements and the authority’s project funds.

Simmons reviewed debt and capital activity, including the June 5, 2025 issuance of $150,155,000 in grant anticipation revenue (GAVI) bonds to finance a package of transportation and infrastructure projects (ferry and Veterans Drive among them). He also described the authority’s role managing the Matching Fund securitization bonds, tobacco settlement bonds and other special purpose entities; outstanding balances and rating actions were discussed in Q&A.

Why it matters: the PFA series supports multi‑hundred million dollar infrastructure programs and manages project and debt resources that affect long‑term fiscal commitments. ODR’s work channels federal recovery dollars into school, hospital and infrastructure reconstruction projects that employ local contractors and generate tax revenue.

Office of Disaster Recovery and super PMO
ODR Director Adrienne Williams Octalin presented the office’s FY2026 operating request of $12,218,820 and asked the legislature to appropriate $4,000,000 in seed/float funds to cover payroll and administrative needs while federal drawdowns are processed. She reported ODR has obligated $23.9 billion in recovery funding and listed completed projects and major bundled procurements in design or solicitation stages, including multiple school reconstruction bundles, health‑care projects and replacement generation for WAPA. Williams Octalin described the super PMO and the Jacobs Engineering contract (staff augmentation and program management) and noted the office is filling dozens of engineering, finance and project management positions while continuing procurement and construction oversight.

Bonds, financing and projects
- The PFA described the revised general obligation and revenue bond ceilings and noted outstanding GO debt of roughly $453.1 million and available GO capacity near $1.1 billion based on assessed valuation figures presented to the committee.
- The GAVI bond closing provided funds for a ferry between St. Thomas and St. Croix, Veterans Drive phase 2 and multiple road projects; PFA said the bond issuance also financed phase 2 of roadway projects previously started under FHWA grant anticipation notes.
- ODR and PFA identified multiple large contracts for program management, construction management and design; committee members asked for clarity on contract values and justification. Simmons and ODR staff described large multi‑year contracts (Jacobs approximately $137,235,258 over three years cited in testimony) to provide staff augmentation for the super PMO.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decisions
- Discussion: Senators asked about the PFA’s general fund request, the GAVI bond purpose, matching fund securitization balances and job creation estimates from recovery spending.
- Direction: Committee members asked PFA and ODR to provide additional detail on professional services contracts, project schedules and anticipated obligations; PFA/ODR agreed to follow up with documentation.
- Decision: No final appropriations were made at the hearing.

What’s next: Lawmakers requested detailed project and contract schedules, debt service tables and any outstanding obligations tied to the GAVI and matching‑fund financings. ODR said it will provide procurement timelines for major bundles and staffing plans for the super PMO.","The Public Finance Authority and its Office of Disaster Recovery appeared together before the legislature to present FY2026 budgets and recovery program updates, including new debt issuances, a $150.155M GAVI bond and a large pipeline of ODR recovery projects managed through a newly formed super PMO.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6207529,"Department of Finance requests $13.9 million for FY2026, cites staffing, audits and IT upgrades",1265,4995000,6260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7&start=4995&end=6260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3754616-6a864916e3f1fb236826fa46fe6c71c7/thumbnail_4995000.jpg","/articles/6207529/Department-of-Finance-requests-139-million-for-FY2026-cites-staffing-audits-and-IT-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207529-b7842efe940acb2f494086e0a7b5f2b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770554586&Signature=kTIq-I5-lNKg5zHNe9UpS3HHgYrP38B48GHraA5Cr-XTRoucDZv4-LB98LmqjnPZUYqjMXdxjIhs3bRIBSpmegl2eahpm7bk1GtU8vu5idRIJOg~5e6VHA0ozHSb~GJj99NPWTQhyF2wqq-4BPPiCYhas8nuqGJgYKN2IKvZY3puAjD6PckCG2Xm5g6U3QXIk4CBx85oarytTaPcyHcgw77PWKfr0ocgJKrYeudGFS3-jE8T0wndKVcv7nFIGl1QjtIoGww-OWKs-AS9uJHJbXg5LTMZ30xQ83ZgI4RHxJ1p9DZ9pX8r6XQmSMTegx2U~xdCH985w7dAB78Uyaz3-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Finance presented its fiscal year 2026 operating budget of $13,918,102 to the Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on June 10, 2025. Executive Assistant Commissioner Clarena Modis Elliott testified that the request would fund 50 full‑time positions and support efforts to update technology, complete long‑running audits and strengthen internal controls.

The budget request is largely personnel driven. The department told senators it proposes $5,078,841 for personnel and $1,526,271 for fringe, along with $7,970,667 in other services and charges. Modis Elliott said the accounting operation — currently staffed by three analysts — processed over 50,000 transactions totaling roughly $900 million year‑to‑date and that that workload, plus audit obligations, justify continued staffing and training investments.

Why it matters: Finance holds custody and accounting responsibilities that affect every agency’s cash flow. Committee members pressed the department about vendor payment delays, reconciliation backlogs and the territory’s readiness to exit federal receivership. Modis Elliott and Deputy Commissioner Wilfredo Guzman described steps including a desk audit of compensation, rollout of Tyler Technologies time and attendance, server and operating‑system upgrades, and work on a GVI transparency site in partnership with BIT and OMB.

Key supporting details and context
- Staffing and organization: The department reported 50 filled positions (38 St. Thomas, 12 St. Croix), 4 active vacancies and a payroll headcount funded in the request. The budget includes $160,000 for limited capital outlay and $300,000 for utilities and server resiliency.
- Audits and compliance: The department said it expects to be caught up on outstanding audits by June 2026 and is implementing corrective action plans; the most recent completed audit listed in testimony was 2021, with 2022 in draft and 2023 in progress.
- Transactions and treasury operations: The accounting division has processed more than 50,000 transactions year‑to‑date. Treasury staff process about 19,000 cash receipt entries per month and central payroll processes roughly 6,400 checks biweekly; the bureau is moving toward automation of reconciliation and other treasury functions.
- IT and process improvements: MIS reported 5 agencies live on the new time and attendance platform; new servers and operating systems were installed and the department is implementing Tyler time and attendance and enhancing incident response.
- Federal coordination and exit from receivership: Finance said it is updating financial policies and working with OMB and federal partners to support the territory’s exit from receivership, including Phase 2 implementation of the Public Finance Management Act.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decisions
- Discussion: Senators questioned late vendor payments, the large AP aging, reconciliation delays across agencies and the pace of audit completion. Officials described causes (late invoice entry by agencies, staffing limits) and actions underway.
- Direction: Committee members requested follow‑up documentation on reconciliations, vacancy lists, training plans and corrected budget coding where a duplication in reporting was identified by Deputy Commissioner Guzman.
- Decision: No formal appropriation votes were taken at the hearing; the department’s request will be considered during the budget process.

What’s next: Senators asked Finance to supply monthly reconciliation details, vendor aging reports and status updates on the transparency website and audits. Finance said it will continue implementing system and policy changes and provide requested follow‑ups to the committee.","The Department of Finance presented a $13.92 million FY2026 operating budget to the legislature, highlighting staffing gaps, upgrades to financial systems and a push to finish outstanding audits as priorities for the year.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

OMB requests $6.4M in general fund for FY2026 and proposes in‑house fiscal responsibility unit to replace party fiduciary

Internal Revenue Bureau seeks $14.06M for FY2026 as collections rise to $599M through May

Public Finance Authority approves $26.11M FY2026 budget; Office of Disaster Recovery seeks $12.21M and $4M seed funds

Department of Finance requests $13.9 million for FY2026, cites staffing, audits and IT upgrades