Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis announced today that he is pleased with the actions of Virgin Islands District Court Judge Curtis Gomez to move towards resolution of the Berne Settlement Agreement.  “I appreciate the court’s efforts to bring both parties together to reach an agreement that would allow the government to issue property tax bills,” Francis says.  The agreement would permit bills to be issued at the 2006 assessed level. 

The court’s findings also recognize the right of property owners to challenge the new assessment levels.  “Property owners who do not agree with their 2006 assessment can appeal to the Board of Tax Review,” states Lt. Governor Francis.  “Further, this administration is committed to expedite those appeals.”

According to Francis, the Office of the Tax Assessor is prepared to issue 2006 property tax bills before the end of the month.  The Office has also begun to release property tax delinquency notices for tax years 2005 and prior.  An amnesty program for past due property taxes is underway.