Dear Editor
IT is a basic economic fact that if expenses outweigh revenues, then there will soon be a ‘budget deficit.’ Any entity that continuously runs a deficit budget will soon experience major financial and other implications. In just an instance, there will be need to either resuscitate/improve old revenue streams or source alternative streams. Such is the case of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. There is need to improve revenue collection. Thus, the Council is once again making an urgent plea for defaulting residents to clear all outstanding

amounts, so that there will be a constant provision of much needed public services. There has always been the argument of whether the provision of quality public services should precede the payment of rates. One may say that it is fair to first benefit from a good-quality service before payment of rates is requested. To some extent, some citizens hold their rates ransom demanding that the Council first provide the requisite services.
However, in order to provide such services, the Council must expend financial resources- much of which is funded through the collected rates and taxes. Without this revenue, the Council finds itself hard pressed to function efficiently, the way it ought to.
Paying taxes is a civic obligation of the people of any nation. This is why the Council is often encouraging residents to pay their rates and taxes. The Council has gone far and beyond to facilitate every resident of the city. It has even offered and extended its offer of amnesty which would have allowed many to benefit from reduction in arrears due. This was indeed a reasonable step taken by the Council to reach out to taxpayers. The results of the amnesty programme were good. It assisted in getting the Council to recuperate a good portion of its outstanding revenues and residents are again commended for their efforts to pay their taxes.
However, here the Council is again pleading with residents to pay their taxes. Much has been done by the Council that deserves credit. The evidence of tax revenue being put to good use is all around Georgetown. The Council is asking residents to come out and pay their taxes so that the progress achieved so far will continue.
Regards
Debra Lewis
Public Relations Officer
Mayor and City Council