$21M in Property Taxes Outstanding in Belize City

Bernard Wagner

The Belize City Council is owed twenty-one million dollars in property taxes.  According to the Mayor, at the peak of COVID, the Council was forced to acknowledge the hardships faced by many residents who were losing their jobs and income. Now, with this shortfall in tax collections, the council is not able to fully carry out its responsibilities. But, Mayor Wagner told the hosts of Open Your Eyes they did not have to lay off any CitCo workers.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City Council

“We saw the effects of COVID on many of the businesses. What the businesses had to do was essentially release many of their workers. When they did that, those workers are unable to pay their property taxes. So, from my vantage point, I have to recognize that and understand that it is not a situation where any resident would want to be in. It is unfortunate that it happens that way. So, you have to start to demonstrate a bit of empathy. That has really led us to where we are today where the city is owed over twenty one million dollars in property taxes. That is significant. That is huge. So that is reflected now in how we are able to deliver the goods and services to the City. We have done patch work here and there to ensure we maintain our workers, our employees. We have not throughout this entire ordeal has never really terminated any of our staff. That is big for me, that is big for our Council.”