Government Moves Forward on Public Officials’ Pay Raises

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.