General rates are due. This is according to an announcement made by the Mayor and Councillors of the city of Georgetown to property owners. According to the announcement ratepayers are being reminded that the second quarter has commenced.
Those persons who have honoured their civic obligations in the first quarter were exempted from paying interest on rates, said the Council in its statement.
Also, the Council is encouraging religious leaders and administrators of non-governmental organization to apply for the necessary exemptions. According to Municipal and District Councils certain properties are exempted from payment of rates these include: Religious Organizations and Buildings used exclusively for educational purposes, the owners of those properties must apply in writing to the Town Clerk seeking such exemptions.
Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 section 211 states: “No rates shall be levied in respect of the following properties”
- Property used solely for the purposes of public religious worship;
- property used exclusively for the purpose of education;
- property used for the purpose of a burial ground, cemetery or crematorium;
- buildings exempted by the City Council under the Georgetown (Taxation and Rating Concessions) Ordinance, 1966 ( which expired in 1969);
Or for property used for two or more of the purposes specified in the above…
Rate payers who have outstanding amounts from the previous year can utilize a payment plan, which would allow them to pay one third of the outstanding amount owed and the remainder in six equal installments.
According to the Council, prompt payment of rates would enable it to provide critical services to its citizenry. These include; cleaning of drains and canals, road repairs, maintaining of parks, provision of recreational facilities, day care service, collection and disposal of solid waste and public health services.
