Concerned Citizens letter being sent to San Pedro Town Board & Media

[Admin]

The last year in San Pedro the citizens and businesses have faced a variety of issues.  Some of these issues have arose from the tough economic times, other from unbridled development and even more from the lack of San Pedro Town Council and Central Government management

Currently we have two significant issues that must be addressed immediately.
 
1.   Our water supply collapsed this Easter due to contamination of the filter system in the Consolidated Water Supply desalination plant. This ruined the stay of thousands of tourists during this critical holiday and many will (a) not return to our island and (b) will spread the word that we’re so backward here on Ambergris Caye that it’s hard to even take a shower.  We’re all 100% dependent on tourism on this island. This will really hurt us in the months and years to come. It is clear that massive dredging activities by a slash and burn developer directly adjacent to the water desalination plant west of Victoria House were at least partially responsible for the breakdown of the water supply. 

2.   The recent increase in property tax threatens to have a grave impact on investment and our economy.  Increases for individual lots have been anywhere from 200% to 2,000%. Locals cannot afford this type of increase and foreign investors will not invest in a pace where the local government can change their taxes from year to year without logic or due diligence. If property sales collapse on Ambergris Caye then the Government of Belize will be denied a valuable revenue source in the form of the Stamp Transfer Tax. Furthermore all construction would grind to a halt as investment dollars dried up causing mass unemployment in the construction trade.
 
We would like to see the following take place:
1.      All investors, developers and locals adhere to the environmental laws of Belize.  Members of the Town Council shall not facilitate any individual or project going around the environmental laws of Belize. It means that every single person must go through the proper planning applications and environmental procedures before commencing with development, most especially development involving dredging of sensitive wetlands and coastal areas.

2.      Anyone person or developer found to be violating the environmental laws of Belize be held accountable, prosecuted and heavily fined.

3.      All of the present outrageously inflationary tax increases for 2010 to 2011 be cancelled.

4.   Accounting leaks within the San Pedro Town Council must be addressed and plugged without delay. This includes ensuring that all funds collected at the toll bridge go to their intended purpose.

4.      Where there is a genuine shortfall in the budget establish a five year plan established by the Town board outlining property tax increases.  This will establish a legitimate system and guidelines for citizens and investors.  It must include LIMITED and SENSIBLE taxes increases with FAIR notification to property owners and must be equally applied across the board without prejudice.

5.   All outstanding taxes must be pursued and collected by the Town Council.  It is not fair to raise the property taxes for the people that actually pay and continue to allow others to go without paying.

If the San Pedro Town Council does not feel they can adhere to the above requirements then we will be able to assist starting with a full and independent audit annually of Town Council accounts, if necessary paid for by we, the law-abiding citizens, taxpayers and business people of Ambergris Caye.

We would remind the Mayor and the Town Council that their responsibility is to the well being of all of the people of Ambergris Caye without PREFERENCE or PREJUDICE.

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discuss...

[Cdnfolks]

A question on # 4.

What is the intended use for tolls collected at the bridge?

[JZB]

To pay back $$ borrowed to build the bridge.

[azbob]

Very well written.  As a very regular visitor and future investor I hope the Town and Belmopan change in time to keep any disaster from happening.

[martinbsmithjr]

Here! Here! I could not agree more with this approach. Count me in and if I can show my support for this in any meaningful please let me know.

[deadserious]

http://www.sanpedrosun.net/10-142.html

    With regards to the issue of property tax increase, the Council humbly apologizes for an error made. The mistake came about as property assessment is due for the year 2011/2012 and not for the 2010/2011 as the Council mistakenly thought. The figures and percentages voiced are not the actual numbers. The Council is working on getting accurate advice as to the proper assessments for the preparation of the valuation role. Having received this, the assessment will be reviewed by the valuation appeals board. To this mistake the Council apologizes. The public needs to be aware that only a few of these bills show the mistake as these were the bills from persons inquiring about their taxes. Of the statements sent out, only two have paid. These persons will be notified of the error and a credit will be given towards their account. All others who have not paid will pay based on last year’s assessment.