– Council might have to ‘beg’ Government for money to pay October salaries, according to Councillor Garrett
THE new period of amnesty that has been announced by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) of Georgetown has been dubbed “a failure” and a process that is only wasting time and other valuable resources. At the statutory meeting last Monday, City Treasurer Andrew Meredith gave an update of the Council’s present financial position following a call by Councillor Junior Garrett to have the standing orders suspended to have the issues discussed.
According to the treasurer, the council expects to rake in $100M at the end of this month in rates and taxes. The amnesty period began on September 15.
Meredith conceded that this amount is “barely adequate” and that the collection on average is not what was expected. Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green interjected that what is owed by the council affects every aspect of its operation.
Councillor Garrett concluded that the amnesty is a failure after listening to the treasurer’s report on the basis that the council’s projection amount for rates and taxes each month is $132M, but even in view of the amnesty and the notices sent out, the concession has “no due effect” in that it has brought in far below what was anticipated.
Garrett said having 22 persons out in the fields distributing notices is “a total waste of time and resources” and that the council’s concentration should be on those who owe significant amounts of money.
He called to mind one instance in which a tax payer who owes a meager $39,000 was traumatized and threatened to be taken to court. “And this is because somebody getting something from the small man,” he charged.
The Mayor referred to Garrett’s comments as reckless but the latter continued that the Council better prepare itself to approach government again and “beg” for money to pay October salaries.
Town Clerk Yonnette Pluck offered that the 22 persons in the field are going after all delinquent tax payers. She said there are some persons who owe for as long as 15 years and in excess of $70M.
Pluck said the law provides for action to be taken after three months of delinquency and that if that had been done years ago, the council would not be in the predicament it is in now.
Councillor Patricia Chase-Green then stood up to say that the treasurer and the town clerk seek to make all kinds of excuses for the financial woes and that the purpose of each statutory meeting is to “send the fools further on.”
Chase-Green said she disagreed with the suggestion to approach the government and that the council is not being run by the political heads anymore but it is by the administration. She added that the administration has overridden many rules and have failed to take disciplinary action in many cases.
Councillor Gwendoline McGowan agreed with earlier suggestions that the council does not go after the “big ones” in the amnesty period but after the poor pensioners.
According to Public Relations Officer Royston King, the council hopes to collect one billion dollars in outstanding amounts during the amnesty period.
He said it has been observed that big businesses have not been going in to honour their civic obligations at City Hall. “Home-owners have been making steady use of the facility but corporations and companies that owe large sums, some for years, have not been paying their rates even with the offer of this amnesty.”
King said: “This amnesty presents all with a very good opportunity to tidy up their accounts and help the city to push ahead with critical works in roads, drainage, law enforcement, parks and open spaces, solid waste management, public health services and a host of other services to the city and its citizens.”
The offer allows a full 100 percent interest-free payment for the first 14 days of the amnesty. The first 14 days will expire today – September 28. The next 14 days, which will begin tomorrow – September 29 and close on October 12, will allow for 50 percent waiver of interest on demand.
The final 14 days will begin on October 13 and close on October 26, and will offer citizens 25 percent waiver on interest.