The Virgin Islands government has begun processing paperwork to implement salary increases for public officials following a report submitted by the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission (VIPOCC).
Speaking to the Source Wednesday night, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said the report, submitted in August 2024, served as a final official document from the commission, and under existing law, its recommendations went into effect on Jan. 1. He added that no supplemental budget would be necessary, as the adjustments — now totaling $199,000 rather than $349,000 — can fit within the $1.2 billion fiscal year 2025 budget without additional funding being appropriated.
Questions surrounding the validity of the raises have persisted, driven by the commission’s late submission of its report — two years after the original deadline — and the lack of formal follow-up or transmittal beyond an email sent to the governor, Legislature, and chief V.I. Supreme Court justice. On Wednesday, VIPOCC Chair Haldane Davies broke his silence, issuing a public emailed statement clarifying who the raises were intended for but not whether they were automatically effective upon submission.
“A thorough review of the report reveals a total recommended compensation adjustment for twelve (12) of the forty-one (41) positions reviewed, amounting to $199,005. Notably, there are no recommended compensation adjustments for positions within the Legislature and the Judiciary. The reference to $95,000 as the compensation for a ‘Senator’ reflects the current compensation of the Senate President, who serves as the head of the Legislature. The report specifically recommends no adjustment for this position or any other legislative roles,” Davies stated.
In an interview with the Source Wednesday afternoon, Davies further clarified that the report did not specify a timeline for implementation.
“The report would not say a time certain — that was not the role of the commission,” Davies said. “Our role was to conduct the study, make the recommendations, and submit them. What happens thereafter is the responsibility of the other bodies.”
Bryan, however, said Wednesday night that he considers the submission official under the law. In an email dated Aug. 9, 2024, Davies also described the report as “final.”
“The commission thanks you, the Chief Justice, and the Senate President for the confidence placed in us to complete this work amidst the challenges along the way,” Davies wrote. “We believe that the territory’s public servants must deliver expert service at the appropriate compensation levels and trust that the results of the study and the recommendations made will help to grow and maintain a resilient public service.”
When asked by the Source Wednesday about transmitting the report via email without an official follow-up, Davies avoided delving into specifics. Instead, he emphasized that email is a standard and widely accepted form of communication in business. “Within business, you transmit an email—just as today’s statement was sent,” Davies said. “Email is a form of transaction that’s acknowledged.”
With the submission of the report, Davies added, the commission has completed what it was tasked to do.
The VIPOCC was established under Act No. 7878 and amended by Act No. 8384 in 2020 to evaluate and recommend compensation for public officials, including the heads of government branches and key agencies. The commission was tasked with reviewing salaries, allowances, and other benefits for positions such as the governor, lieutenant governor, department heads, judicial officers, senators and the Inspector General.
According to law, the commission must compile its findings and recommendations into a report submitted to the governor, the Senate president and the chief justice of the Virgin Islands Supreme Court. Public input was also meant to be part of the process. From the enabling statute, the commission was authorized to hold public hearings and invite testimony from the community, including government officials, legal professionals, and experts to ensure transparency and a comprehensive review of compensation practices.
Under the law, recommendations in the commission’s report would automatically take effect if the Legislature failed to act within 90 days of submission. However, delays in funding and procurement pushed the report’s completion far beyond the original May 30, 2022 deadline.
In a press release issued Sunday night, Bryan announced receipt of the report, stating:
“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, today I announced that I have received the Public Officials Compensation Study Report from the Virgin Islands Public Officials Compensation Commission (VIPOCC). The report, submitted in accordance with Act No. 7878 and Act No. 8384, outlines adjustments to the compensation of public officials that will take effect January 1, 2025, as mandated by law.”
The Push for Higher Salaries and Financial Concerns
Wednesday night, Bryan stressed the need for competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent, noting that many positions have not seen raises in nearly two decades.
“If a cost-of-living increase had been applied to the governor’s salary since 2006, it would now exceed $230,000,” Bryan said, referencing the report’s recommendation of $192,088 for the governor’s salary. The report also recommended $168,231 for the lieutenant governor and raises for various cabinet members, increasing their salaries to between $105,000 and $135,000.
Comparatively across government, higher salaries than that its chief executive or commissioners exist, including $400,000 for the president of the University of the Virgin Islands, and over $100,000 for positions ranging from police officials to school principals, he added.
While the report appears to include a $10,000 increase for senators, Davies emphasized that no such recommendation was made.
On Wednesday, Bryan acknowledged $50 million in pending vendor payments but rejected the idea that the government is financially insolvent. He cited $130 million in cash reserves, $30-$40 million in federal ARPA funds, and settlement funds from the Jeffrey Epstein estate that have been strategically reserved.
“The government has made deliberate decisions to manage these funds responsibly,” Bryan said. “We’ve covered increased insurance costs for government workers, negotiated $4 million in retroactive payments for education employees, and continue to fund critical infrastructure projects. The idea that the government is broke is simply not true.”
Bryan noted that the decision to hold back some funds was a precautionary measure, especially given uncertainties surrounding tax revenue collections. He also pointed to recent capital project appropriations passed by the Legislature, which he said totaled millions of dollars and could further strain the government’s financial resources if not carefully managed.
