Mayor Sharon Palacio Says Belmopan CitCo Owes Millions!

Sharon Palacio

Belmopan Mayor Sharon Palacio says that their initial review of the Belmopan City Council has revealed debts in the millions of dollars, among other mismanagement and irregularities that include the selling of lands just days before the municipal elections in March.  Today, Palacio said she believes that what they uncovered may be just the tip of the iceberg. In a press release issued late this evening, the Council release outlines unpaid bills to the tune of almost ten million dollars; among those debts listed are unpaid bills from the council’s regular accounts payable amounting to almost seven hundred thousand dollars; a one point five million dollar loan with the National Bank of Belize; a six-million-dollar tag for the municipal bond that was issued in 2017.  Here are comments from Mayor Palacio earlier today in Belmopan on the state of affairs as inherited by her team.

Sharon Palacio, Mayor, Belmopan

“In the days leading up to the election, even up to the fourth of March 2021, a total of so many lots were sold. We have parcel 302 which is in the process of being subdivided into five hundred and eight parcel of land, as of first of March three hundred and three have been assigned; seventeen have been purchased outright and twenty-one have been reimbursed and six are pending reimbursement. Philip Goldson Boulevard was previously divided into twenty-eight parcels, all but one have been sold or traded for works done – don’t ask where the money is.   The council owes social security, my people, to the tune of five hundred and eighty-six thousand six hundred and four dollars and fifty one cents.  Income tax – one hundred and eighty-eight thousand six hundred and ninety one dollars and twenty-one cents. We are actively investigating all loopholes and I am the first to admit that we have not uncovered all that we know are there but we will not rest until every stone is unturned to fix the problems. We must part ways with corrupt individuals and non-committed employees. To those citizens who have gotten lands during the last days leading up to election, you are invited to revisit the council to make things right.”