But, the Wagner Administration has bigger money worries at this time. Belize City residents and businesses are suffering like everyone else under the COVID-induced financial crisis, and so, the Council isn't able to collect on all the taxes they needed to run the City's affairs.
Today, the Mayor engaged us in a frank conversation on the difficult financial times:
Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City Council "COVID had significant impact on our revenue stream. What we use to collect, we are collecting in the neighbourhood of 40 to 50 percent, so it has been cut in half. What we have had to do is to ensure that we prioritize and with the mind that we need to keep all our workers intact, that is the driving force behind how we run, we do not want to add to the unemployment list, we have over 300 plus staff with families. We have downed the trenches, we have held the hands with our staff, we expect more from our collection staff, they are given amounts that they are to give in respect to property tax, you can't pressure the residence of the city, everybody is going through hardship and so we have to have some empathy and that is what will get us through this COVID, empathy for each other."
Reporter "What kind if allowances have been made in terms of taxes to paid to the city council from residence in terms of having some of those taxes deferred? Or offering some kind of incentives for those who might have additional cash flow?"
Bernard Wagner "Remember when COVID initially started we did a campaign where those individuals that rented marker stalls, rented boots at the parks, we gave them a moratorium that they didn't have to pay any rent until September. So that was one way that we assisted those small business owners. We also did a 15% discount on all property taxes, that again, assisted many residences in the city. Now we have the business component where there were many businesses who already paid in trade license early 2020 and didn't have the opportunity to do any business. So what we'll be doing and we have applied through local government because we have to apply to local government that, we give those individuals and those businesses a rebate or a credit on the 2021 trade license, so we are still awaiting the response from local government that was sent about a month ago and so once we get that, then we'll know definitively all those businesses what relief will come their way."
Reporter "What have you seen in terms of the seasonality and the payments made towards property taxes in the city?"
Bernard Wagner "That has dropped significantly, we have in the neighbourhood of 4.5 million still out in property taxes, so that in itself is money out there but we can't collect it and we can't be in a position where we are taking any individuals to the court right now. It's about working out payment plans, it's about ensuring that those individuals have employment."
Daniel Ortiz "Around this time the city tends to recoup huge portions of it's revenue. What is December 2020 going to look like for you all?"
Bernard Wagner "Not looking good in terms of the collection when compared to previous years, it is trickling in but not to the level that we use to be able to pay back most of the debt we would have incurred during the slow months but we have to continue to fight through this going forward post COVID, any council would have to be mindful of post COVID and you will have to have steady leadership, you will have to have leadership that understands how this economy works and how you could create that synergy and energy where people feel good about doing business again in the city."
Mayor Ready For Another Run And even after all the strain of constant crisis management, the Mayor told us that he will seek re-election for a second term in office. Here's what he had to say about his intention to run in the March 2021 Municipal Election:
Police Commanders Met Via Zoom There were some eyebrows raised earlier this week when the Commissioner of Police confirmed that he was planning a Commanders' Conference for 50+ officers at the Police Training Academy. This would appear to be in contravention of the strict limitation on social gathering - but the commissioner said it would fall under workplace regulations, which allow more than 10 persons to gather for work. But, it seems he thought better of it - and the meeting will was held instead via video conference - not in person - surely saving the police hundreds of dollars in fuel and the possibility of a super spreader event.
Carol Babb's Buy Bye
And while officers met on Zoom, we also spoke with former Chief Education Officer Carol Babb on the platform.
As we told you yesterday, her five year tenure came to an abrupt end after an internal memo written by CEO Dian Maheia announced her termination. Dr Babb has been in the Ministry for years, serving as the deputy chief education officer since 2008 before taking control of the reins. She has pioneered many projects including the placement of financial literacy in the primary school curriculums and has ensured that thousands of students are able to get scholarships yearly.
She told us that she had been working on another project - ensuring that students get at least one healthy meal a deal. But she won't be able to see that project to fruition, which she says is disappointing. Still, she has decided to keep her head high even though she was only able to complete one year of her three-year contract.
Carol Babb "It's disappointing but I also believe too, Courtney, that when one door is closed many are opened. It's not the end. I think it's just a new chapter for me, a chapter where I will still continue to champion the rights of children and will continue to ensure that children get quality education. You know, Courtney, I don't like to dwell on negativity, I want to move on, I just want the general public to know because there's feeling out there that maybe my contract was hurriedly signed. My contract ended the 7th of October 2019. My new contract was renewed the 7th of October 2019. My contract was for a total of three years, I have already done one year, I have three years pending. As I said I don't want to dwell on negativity, I want to move on and find peace and do what makes me happy and that is to champion the rights of children."
Dr Babb says she will remain in the educational sector and has future projects lined up already.
Alex and The Apples Child friendly organization, Belize Camping Experience is once again engaging in its annual apple sales - just in time for the Christmas season. This initiative raises funds to assist children and this year, they say they're doing it a bit differently.
That Honduras Flight
Last night, we told you about the successful military flight that the BDF's Captain Francis Usher, Captain Ciardi Glenn, and Sergeant Gongora, to Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Based on another news report, we repeated that no BDF pilot had landed at this dangerous airport before, but that was incorrect - and we got a social media shout-down on Facebook for it.
Shortly after that story aired, viewers pointed out to us that several past military men, including retired Major Lloyd Jones, made that flight. We understand Retired Colonel Ganney Dortch also flew one of Belize's former Prime Ministers to this airport.
