U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Acting Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq. hosted today’s weekly press briefing. He thanked Agriculture Commissioner Louis E. Petersen, the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair Board, the University of the Virgin Islands, and partner entities for producing the 54th Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair under the theme “Agriculture and Technology: An Ideal Mix in 2026.” Roach also commended the territory’s farmers, artisans, vendors, cooks and bakers, musicians, and cultural dancers, and thanked staff who provided information on Office services to residents throughout the three-day event.
Roach reported that Governor Albert Bryan Jr. is in Washington, D.C., attending the National Governors Association Winter Meeting and the Interagency Group on Insular Areas Senior Plenary Session at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
LEPC Update
Molito A. Smith Jr., Executive Director of the Virgin Islands Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC), announced that the U.S. Virgin Islands has been removed from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) “high-risk” designation, referencing a February 13, 2026 letter from Latoya A. Johnson, CPA, Acting Deputy Director, Audit and Review Division, U.S. DOJ. Smith noted the designation was applied in 2012 and reaffirmed in 202, and credited LEPC’s recent improvements in internal controls, risk management, and compliance monitoring. He thanked the OMB Compliance Unit and recognized Sherry Abbott, Avril Charles, and LEPC grants managers.
Smith said the change supports continued DOJ grant funding for priority public safety and justice initiatives, including equipment upgrades, corrections programming, youth and community-based programs, and territory-wide victim services. He also announced LEPC will coordinate with Governor Bryan to host the 2026 Virgin Islands Youth Symposium for youth ages 14–22, anticipated for July, August, or early fall 2026, with planning listening sessions in April 2026.
Street Addressing Initiative
Roach provided an update on the Street Addressing Initiative (SAI), noting that St. John has been finalized and submitted to federal partners and mapping services, with residential signage installation underway. St. Thomas and St. Croix are more than 87% complete, and the first set of illuminated highway signs has been installed on St. Croix.
Property Tax Amnesty
Roach reminded property owners that the current property tax amnesty is scheduled to end at the close of business on February 21, 2026, and will be extended to the close of business on Monday, February 23, 2026, because February 21 falls on a Saturday. Under the amnesty, interest and penalties are waived when property taxes due for a tax year are paid in full before the amnesty expires.
Property owners with active installment payment plans must contact the Office of the Tax Collector to cancel the plan in order to participate, as a property owner may not maintain an installment plan and receive amnesty benefits at the same time.
###