Dear Editor
THE Mayor and Councillors of the city of Georgetown wishes to remind property owners that general rates are due. The Council wishes to remind rate payers that the second quarter has commenced.

Those persons who have honoured their civic obligations in the first quarter were exempted from paying interest on rates. Also, the Council is encouraging religious leaders and administrators of non-governmental organization to apply for the necessary exemptions. According to Municipal and District Councils, certain properties are exempted from payment of rates. These include religious organizations and buildings used exclusively for educational purposes; the owners of those properties must apply in writing to the Town Clerk seeking such exemptions.

Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 section 211 states;
“No rates shall be levied in respect of the following properties_
(a) Property used solely for the purposes of public religious worship;
(b) Property used exclusively for the purpose of education;
(c) Property used for the purpose of a burial ground, cemetery or crematorium;
(d) Buildings exempted by the City Council under the Georgetown (Taxation and Rating Concessions) Ordinance, 1966 ( which expired in 1969);
Property used for two or more of the purposes specified in the above
Rate payers who have outstanding amounts from the previous year can utilize a payment plan, which would allow rate payers to pay 1/3 of the outstanding amount owed and the remainder in (6 six) equal installments. Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 section 209 states;

(1)The owner of a property shall be liable for the payment of rates levied thereon.
(2) The person whose name appears in the valuation list shall, for the purpose of this section, be deemed to be the owner of the property listed against his name until the contrary is proved to the satisfaction of the council.
Section 213 states;

(1) The rates due in respect of a general rate shall be payable in four equal installments which shall become due on the first day of February or on the day of service of the demand note, whichever day is later, the first day of April, the first day of July and the first day of October.

(2) The rates due in respect of supplementary rate shall be payable in two equal installments which shall become due on the first day of July or on service of the demand note, whichever day is the later and the first day of October.
The prompt payment of rates would enable the Council to provide the critical service to its citizenry. These include cleaning of drains and canals, road repairs, maintaining of parks, provision of recreational facilities, day care service, collection and disposal of solid waste and public health services.
Regards
Debra Lewis
Public Relations Officer