Property Tax Collection to be Intensified

The Government will be implementing several strategies to intensify property-tax collection this year, says Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie.

Addressing the Social Development Commission (SDC) staff recognition awards ceremony at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club in St. Catherine on April 26, Mr. McKenzie said the Ministry will be collaborating more with agencies, such as the SDC, to promote awareness, which is expected to increase compliance for the payment of property taxes.

Property-tax payments provide for the collection of garbage, public sanitary conveniences, running water, road-improvement works, street lighting, poor relief and community beautification.

Meanwhile, the Minister noted that over the last eight weeks, the Government paid approximately $1.7 billion to the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company for street-light arrears.

“We still owe close to $6 billion in arrears for street lights and, therefore, we will have to rely heavily on the SDC to intensify the programmes on the road to go into the various communities,” he said.

Mr. McKenzie commended the staff for their sterling and exemplary work, pointing out that their contributions have assisted in transforming the lives of persons with whom they interacted.

The SDC’s reward and recognition programme, which was implemented in 2012, honours staff for outstanding performance based on specific criteria.

The SDC, which falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, is the Government’s principal community mobilisation and organisation agency.

It operates in urban and rural communities islandwide, engaging residents in sport, social, cultural and economic activities, aimed at facilitating their empowerment and development.