KSAC to Implement Measures to Improve Collection of Fees

The Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) will be implementing measures to curtail illegal and/or unauthorized activities in the markets and to improve collection of fees.

These include: notification to vendors of their arrears; closure of shops that are in arrears; serving of demand notices; issuing summons for delinquent vendors to be taken to the courts; and eviction, where warranted.

Speaking at the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) Council meeting at its Church Street chambers in downtown Kingston, on June 10, Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, said that the decision has been taken not to increase market fees, even though funds are needed to effect repairs and other improvements.

“At this point the KSAC believes that an increase in market fees is not the most effective way of raising these funds, as it is likely to only increase arrears,” he said.

Mr. Swaby emphasised that the KSAC intends to aggressively collect the outstanding fees of over $21 million, which will enable the Corporation to provide better accommodation and facilities in markets.

“Until these arrears are collected, all of the repairs and improvements that we would like to do within the markets cannot be done,” he said.

The Deputy Mayor encouraged delinquent vendors to pay their market fees, adding that several vendors with poor payment records are the first ones to demonstrate, and have the most to say on camera.

“Another aspect of market operations has to do with access to light and water. Some vendors, again with poor payment records, have several appliances and use water, yet pay no bills and the KSAC is the recipient of the bills,” he said.

Mr. Swaby said the vendor registration exercise for 2014 has started and encouraged all vendors to get registered, as only registered vendors have legal status in the markets, arcades, and approved vending areas.