Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has proposed a $250 million bond package to address longstanding financial pressures across the territory's public institutions, with plans to seek legislative approval in the coming weeks.
The initiative would direct $85 million to healthcare: Schneider Regional Medical Center would receive $45 million, while Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center would get $40 million. According to Government House, these funds would tackle vendor debts and underpin the cost of sustaining healthcare operations, particularly the challenge of securing adequate medical supplies.
Utility and waste services would share $80 million under the proposal. The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority and the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority would each receive $40 million to settle existing debts and maintain reliable delivery of electricity, water and waste collection.
The remaining allocations would address other pressing obligations: $30 million for retroactive wages and tax refunds owed to residents, $10 million for unpaid government vendor invoices, and $30 million to repay an existing government line of credit. Capital improvements for the legislative and judicial branches and economic development work through the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority would also be funded, though Government House did not specify amounts for those areas.
Bryan indicated the bonds would draw backing from gross receipts tax revenue. He plans to introduce enabling legislation to the 36th Legislature shortly; lawmakers must approve the financing before it can proceed.
Institutions receiving funds would face new accountability requirements. Each must create a five-year financial sustainability roadmap, tighten financial reporting standards and audit procedures, and set concrete targets for operational gains and reduced dependence on central government support. Progress would be tracked regularly, with corrective steps taken as needed.
Government House confirmed that interest rates and repayment schedules would be subject to defined limits, though the announcement did not detail those parameters or project debt-service costs.
The Financial Solutions Task Force, formed by Bryan in July, crafted the proposal. Leadership includes Office of Management and Budget Director Julio Rhymer and Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., who chairs the Legislature's Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance. Senators Marvin Blyden and Avery Lewis, Finance Commissioner Kevin McCurdy, Public Finance Authority Executive Director Nathan Simmonds and Personnel Director Cindy Richardson also participated.
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