VI Lawmakers Slam 20-Year $2.5M Annual Compliance Contract as Ineffective
- Nelcia Charlemagne
- October 31, 2024
After almost two decades, the U.S. Virgin Islands remains locked into a compliance agreement with the U.S. Department of Education as a result of the territory being designated a “high-risk grantee.” As a result of this designation and the need to implement corrective measures to improve standing with the U.S. Department of Education, a third-party fiduciary agent (TPFA) has been appointed to oversee the compliance requirements for federal grants administered to the local Department of Education. McConnell & Jones, LLP currently holds this responsibility, providing oversight to the V.I. Departments of Education, Health, Property and Procurement, and Human Services as part of the U.S. DOE compliance agreement. However, lawmakers, during a meeting of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance on Wednesday, were particularly concerned about when the need for the third-party fiduciary would be eliminated. “We have spent about $42.5 million on this compliance agreement,” commi...