City Hall rolls out plans to expand revenue collection in 2025 budget

Jun 11, 2025 News

– raked in $1.29B in rates and taxes last year

Kaieteur News – The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) last week presented its annual budget pegged at $4.2 billion and rolled out plans to expand its revenue collection in key areas this year.

Finance Committee Chairman, Lelon Saul, recently delivered the budget presentation, noting that the biggest chunk of the revenue—$1.29 billion came from collection of rates and taxes. He said that the figure would be much higher if the outstanding rates and taxes are paid. Saul also highlighted the income generating measures including plans to boost the collection of outstanding rates and taxes and regulate street vending as key components of the Council’s 2025 agenda.

“In 2025, this year, our projected revenue is estimated at $3,837,518 and the expenditure is $4,282,490,755. The key objectives of our budget are to maintain in good order approximately 645 miles of drainage networks necessary for effectual drainage in the city,” Saul stated.

According to Saul, the city greatest revenue earning department was the city treasurer department ranking 1.29 billion on rates and Taxes.

He explained that the key revenue earning area outside of rates and taxes was the market fees 308 M which represent 14.68 % of total revenue for the period. “The Stabroek Market with the highest earning markets at 145 M or 47% of the actual revenue for markets,” Saul disclosed.

According to the Finance Committee Chairman, the Council will expand its revenue collection in key areas. He said in addition to collecting property taxes, and market fees, emphasis will be placed on collecting billboard fees and leases fees.”

The Councillor noted however that there are challenges hampering the Council’s ability to implement projects effectively. He said: “The municipality’s ability to provide core services in 2024 was severely hampered by financial constraints, insufficient manpower, and a lack of materials in 2024…”

Saul also accused Central Government and the Local Government Ministry of working against the Council in efforts to garner the outstanding rates and taxes via the amnesty programme for delinquent ratepayers. This, he said has left the Council with limited options.

“Compounding this issue is the Central Government’s persistent disregard for the Mayor and City Council, as key decisions and interventions are routinely made without consultation. Such dismissive conduct not only undermines democratic governance but also fosters a hostile and unproductive relationship between the two entities. In a nation like Guyana, which prides itself on democratic values and civil discourse, mutual respect and cooperation should be the foundation of all interactions,” Saul explained.

Nevertheless, the Finance Committee Chairman is hoping for a better collaboration with the government in key areas. “Notwithstanding, we would like a greater collaboration with central government as they work to improve the roads, bridges, drains etc. For public safety; enhanced public safety for the City Police as well as community engagement programmes. For environmental sustainability, the City wants to implement policies and initiatives that promote environmental sustainability,” Saul pointed out.

He noted too that to garner revenues, the City will seek to pursue areas tax reviews and adjustments. “Now, we have to review and adjust tax policies. This is something that engaged the council. The issue of our delinquent ratepayers. When they don’t pay on time it attracts an interest rate of 18 percent that is just simple interest.”

To bolster the budget, Saul noted the City will also seek to tap into municipal grant schemes and public private partnership initiatives.

According to Saul, there are number of areas that City continues to lose revenue. “A key priority will be strengthening the Treasury Department to ensure accurate, timely financial reporting and budget preparation. Currently, the department faces critical staffing shortages and capacity gaps, hindering optimal performance. Addressing these challenges will enhance fiscal efficiency and data reliability for evidence-based decision-making,” Saul said.

“We want to relook at some of our bylaws and ensure what we are doing is in keeping those guidelines. In this year, the Georgetown municipality also plans to reevaluate service fees for many residential services. We have already started rolling out some of these key programmes,” he added.

“We do have challenges and some of these things are difficult to attain but we will continue to provide the 34,000 plus properties with refuse collection service removing tons of waste daily in the city,” the Finance Committee Chairman said.

2025 budget, City Hall, Finance Committee Chairman, Lelon Saul, Mayor and City Council

Latest News