Ruddy Mathison, Gleaner Writer

FALMOUTH, Trelawny:

The Trelawny Parish Council on Thursday passed a resolution, requesting the Ministry of Local Government to speedily make the necessary representation to ensure that the payment of property tax be linked to the issuance of tax compliance certificates.

The resolution highlighted a low compliance rate in respect of the payment of property tax that are used to fund essential services in the parish, and the need for this measure to be taken to ensure the effective collection of these taxes.

unconditional support

Deputy Mayor Collen Gager, at one stage, was reluctant to give his unconditional support, pointing to the proposed increase in property tax that should also be looked at.

The former mayor said the proposed increase will definitely have some bearing on the issue. He said before the resolution is pass, a detailed look should be taken at how the size of the increase will affect landowners, and efforts should be made to ensure that such increase are commensurate with the size and value of property.

Gager, however, caved in on the issue when Phillip Service reiterated that the move was to ensure that there is compliance by property owners.

The resolution was then passed without any abstentions, with an added recommendation that it be forwarded to the KSAC, Portmore Municipal Council and other parish councils islandwide.