Town councils urged to collect taxes, watch expenses

One month ago, they were elected to office and today the mayors and deputy mayors of seven town boards and Belmopan City met in the capital. The mayor of Belize City was also there for this first orientation of the councils and town administrators. Besides outlining basic responsibilities and their role in running the country’s municipalities, Minister of Local Government Valdemar Castillo stressed the need for greater financial responsibility.

Valdemar Castillo, Min. Local Government

“We cannot continue to spend and accumulate bills, without identifying the sources of funding. This type of irresponsible fiscal management has been going on for too long where councils incur debts and then sends the bills to Central Government to pay. While this government is committed to the operation of the councils and will continue to assist, there is only so much we can do from our end. You need to organize yourselves and insure that you collect the taxes and fees which citizens are obliged for the service which you provide them.”

The two-day conference culminates on Friday with the swearing in o the first city council for Belmopan. This takes place at 3:00pm on the steps of the National Assembly.