CitCo Says Citizens Need to Pay Their Taxes

And, the Belize City Council’s revenue continues to grow, but there are still many residents who have arrears. According to Mayor Bernard Wagner, about eighty percent of all residents have been keeping up with tax payments but at least twenty percent still owe a significant amount. He says it is important for payment to be made so the council can fund projects that benefit the community.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City: “That is an exercise. Prior to COVID in terms of property taxes we were in the neighborhood of 80% collection ratio compliance so we are nearing back to that figure but there is still that 20% which accounts for a huge amount and each year when you add on 20% onto an existing arrears portfolio that continues to grow. I’m glad that we’re seeing some sort of move in terms of legislation to really have the city move that legal process quicker rather than this five years where you’re sending notices and it has to be published and it really is a tedious process. We want to shorten that period so that if you as a property owner has not paid within a series of time that the city can move very quickly and they are preparing that kind of legal framework where we can move pretty quickly to sell.”