City Hall seeks permission to commence parate execution

May 31, 2016 News

The City is preparing to take drastic action against defaulting taxpayers as they seek legal permission to commence parate execution. This was announced by Town Clerk Royston King who said that the Council is currently engaging the courts to acquire the requisite permission that would allow the Municipality to sell the properties of defaulting tax payers.
The Council recently announced that delays in the payment of salaries and other obligations were due to ‘a combination of factors’ which included the ‘non –payment of rates by certain Corporations.’
The Georgetown City Council is said to be owed some $2 B in property taxes. Some defaulters were prosecuted so far recovering some $300 M to be paid over to the Municipality.
To date, these payments have not been forthcoming, the Town Clerk said. This is despite warnings of parate execution against persons and business names being publicised.
It was noted that some businesses who owe the Council were even paying meagre sums for their properties due to the City’s failure to adequately conduct property evaluations, since several private or domestic properties within the city have now become commercial properties. However, years of disregard for this civic obligation would have resulted in increasing indebtedness to the Municipality.
Since the court passed judgment for the Municipality’s payment, with its permission, the Council will commence the sale of properties belonging to delinquent customers. This legal process will allow the Municipality to auction off the property and recover the money it is owed.
The Municipality is still open to all customers against whom judgment was passed, King said. “The Council is asking that these persons make contact with the body in relation to repayment since any possible amicable resolution is best preferred by the Municipality.”
He said the work of the city must not be stopped because persons refuse to honour their financial obligations.