Cayo Mayor Says G.O.B. Should Provide Monthly Grants to Councils

Earl Trapp

Mayors across the country are facing financial problems created by the impact of the COVID-19.  Like businesses, councils are not able to conduct business and collect revenues. The entire Cayo District has been placed under enhanced quarantine measures and Mayor of Santa Elena/San Ignacio, Earl Trapp says that his council will not be able to financially remain stable for many months. The mayor says that the central government should give the councils a monthly grant until the situation gets better.

Earl Trapp, Mayor, Santa Elena/San Ignacio

“I believe that the council will not be able to stand alone all the way up to October. So we are taking some different measures especially when it comes to salaries. One of our biggest over head expenses is our sanitation department and then we have the salaries.  It is our hope that central government will give each council or municipality a grant because it is only fair. If they will give you in the form of a loan or guarantee an overdraft it can temporally help but all we are doing is filling one hole and opening a bigger hole. So it is my hope that central government will be more considerate and assist all the municipalities with a monthly grant as we go through this crisis.”