Collection of rates and taxes costly to City Hall

May 12, 2009 News

Intensified efforts to boost the revenue base of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown (M&CC) through the collections of rates and taxes have been costing the municipality more than it can afford.
This notion was highlighted yesterday at the municipal statutory meeting.
Councillor Patricia Chase-Green, in expressing concern about the situation questioned, said that City Constabulary officers are paid extra to conduct a job that they are mandated to do.
However, Acting Town Clerk, Yonette Pluck-Cort, said that there are only three officers that are involved when the municipality has to resort to legal measures to collect rates and taxes.
The officers, as a result, are paid additional remuneration for their efforts, which comes under the Distrait Warrant.
According to Councillor Ranwell Jordan queries were made to determine why the officers were being paid extra, adding that there were reports that “the officers are working beyond the call of duty to ensure that monies are brought into the council.”
Pluck-Cort, in defence of the officers, said that they (officers) often have to carry out this added duty beyond their working hours in order to reach the defaulting tax payers most of whom are away at their jobs during normal working hours.
Councillor Patricia Chase-Green however insisted, “We are giving away money we cannot afford right now.”
City Mayor Hamilton Green questioned the possibility of a special cadre of officers being trained to carry out such duties with a view to reducing the amount of money that is paid out in this regard.
However, that option was not considered, prompting the Mayor to suggest that a specific payment guideline be implemented whereby officers are paid based on the quantum of work they are able to successfully complete rather than a fixed amount across the board.
The collection of rates and taxes represents the main basis from which the municipality earns its revenue, a process, which has proven to be most challenging over the years.
In recognition of this problem, Mayor Green said that the council had taken a decision through its Finance Committee to operate with a degree of flexibility to raise revenues by granting certain concessions to tax payers.
He said the intention was to waive certain aspects of the interest residents owe all with the intention of garnering as much outstanding taxes as possible.
Additionally, he said that the municipality has taken several delinquent taxpayers to court, which according to him is infamous for its slothfulness.
Green said that the municipality had some years ago proposed the implementation of a mechanism where it could sequester properties from defaulting taxpayers.
But implementing such a measure has been hindered to some extent thus the municipality is still seeking ways in which it could increase its revenue, he added. He added that the municipality has been waiting for quite some time for the Valuation Department to join its efforts so that properties in the city could be properly appraised.
Mayor Green said that he had written to the Ministers of Finance and Local Government so that the valuation movement could be enabled.

Latest News

Collection of rates and taxes costly to City Hall

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Windies break home Test drought with 201-run win over Bangladesh

President Ali sees sports as ‘centrepiece’ of...

Amazon Warriors trounce Qalandars in opener

Shepherd excited for IPL journey with RCB

Romeo Hunter snares Sub-Junior and Open gold and...

Rockstone inaugural Street Classic Championship...

Features/Columnists

A psychological profile of a control freak

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

The ends are what matter, according to Dr. Jagdeo

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Collection of rates and taxes costly to City Hall

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]