RATES and taxes for properties and other services are raised by the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, towns, and the city of Georgetown as authorised under the local government laws. These local democratic organs have the authority to establish their own police force and raise their own taxes, unlike the Regional Democratic Councils.

The city of Georgetown continues to attract widespread attention for various reasons. The council provides services such as garbage and refuge collection, day-care, public health, maintain the streets and Le Repentir cemetery, manages the abattoir, markets, and keeps the surroundings clean. It is also responsible for drainage with a view to avoiding floods within the environs. This is quite a responsibility and factually, services the people cannot do without.

It is well known that the council attracts criticisms and commendations on its management and delivery of services. The citizens, city mothers and fathers, and administrator are often at loggerheads for these very reasons. The demands on the council to provide acceptable services in every department are reasonable. Making demands for improved services comes with a responsibility by the citizens to pay their rates and taxes in a timely manner. Failure to pay these puts the council in a position where it is unable to provide the quality of services expected of it. Non-payment affects the ability to pay staff and the services contracted for.

Quite recently, central Government was asked for a $600M bailout. That request came at a time when the council was owed billions. Now is the time for the residents and businesses of Georgetown to take responsibility for the state of Georgetown. It is unfair to be demanding that the city council does its job, when persons are refusing to pay what they owe. Nothing in life in free. To want a service is to be prepared to pay for it.

In paying for a service, should it fall short of expectations, there is justification to be upset and demand that it be corrected. Truth be told, some are disinclined to honour their obligations for the services they expect. It is also an argument without merit that payments will not be made unless the council provides quality service. To provide services, resources have to be available and the failure to pay rates and taxes is contributing to poor and non-existent services.

Georgetown has grown exponentially in size since the last tax assessment was done. Taxes have not kept pace with growth and economic realities. Currently, what is being charged is not reflective of the existing market rates the council pays to provide services. For this body to function, it requires resources; but those resources must be garnered consistent with its mandate.

The desperation that led to an agreement to install parking meters earlier this year as a revenue-earner was met with criticism, some not without justification. It should not escape attention that the waiving of interest on revenue past due questions as to how responsible we are as citizens.

It is known that the law stipulates that if taxes are not paid on time, interest is accrued. Every citizen and business of Georgetown has a responsibility to obey the city by-laws. As there are justifiable expectations that the council will provide services and respect the by-laws, there exists a corresponding responsibility of citizens to do likewise.