Audit of the Land Leasing and Land Preparation Programs – Department of Agriculture St. Croix

The Office of the Virgin Islands Inspector General has issued the audit report of the land leasing and land preparation programs of the Department of Agriculture on St. Croix. The audit found that Agriculture did not manage the programs effectively and in accordance with the Code and rules and regulations. Specifically, Agriculture (i) administered the programs without adequate formalized policies and procedures; (ii) improperly executed land lease agreements; (iii) did not adequately monitor the programs to ensure that program recipients were in compliance with land use criteria; (iv) did not effectively collaborate with other appropriate governmental departments to administer and enforce provisions of the Code; (v) was slow and inconsistent in billing for services; (vi) was ineffective in pursuing collection of delinquent accounts; and, (vii) did not maintain organized and readily accessible program files. In addition, Agriculture did not compile and submit, to the President of the Virgin Islands Legislature, annual statistical records of the production and harvest of various crops and livestock as required by the law. To view the report, click here.