By Omar Silva

Editor/Publisher: National Perspective Bz – Digital 2025

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City: Sunday 19th January 2025

Belize City residents may soon be forced to pay an additional garbage fee, as the city’s administration struggles to meet its $60,000 weekly obligation to Belize Waste Control (BWC). This announcement, made by Mayor Bernard Wagner, has sparked outrage among residents who are already contributing through a range of taxes, including property taxes, business taxes, and trade licenses. The question now is: Where is all that money going?

An Administration Without Answers

For years, Belize City’s financial troubles have been an open secret. The city’s inability to pay BWC, leading to periodic garbage crises, highlights not just a cash flow problem but a systemic failure in financial planning and accountability. Despite the revenue collected from city residents, basic services like garbage collection are now being used as leverage to justify additional fees.

Mayor Wagner has shifted the responsibility to residents, stating:

"It’s your garbage that you are creating."

This deflection is as frustrating as it is unconvincing. The mayor and his administration must answer a critical question: If residents have been diligently paying their taxes, why is there no money left for essential services?

Where Are the Tax Revenues?

The City Council collects millions annually in property taxes, trade licenses, and other fees. These funds are supposed to cover public services, including garbage collection, road repairs, and sanitation. Yet, residents are left wondering:

• Why are property taxes not allocated effectively to critical services?
• What is the justification for asking residents to pay more when the existing revenue streams are unaccounted for?
• Why hasn’t the council renegotiated the contract with BWC, despite years of financial strain?

A Broken Promise of Accountability

Mayor Wagner’s statement that funds for garbage collection are pulling resources away from street rehabilitation and operational expenses reveals a troubling lack of financial planning. Residents voted for this administration based on promises of improved services, transparency, and accountability. Instead, they are being asked to foot an additional bill without any explanation of how their existing contributions have been spent.

The city’s challenges are not unique. Yet, Belize City remains the only municipality without legislation for a garbage fee—a fact the mayor is using to justify this proposed charge. But what he fails to acknowledge is that residents in rural areas, like Ladyville, pay garbage fees in exchange for visible, consistent services. Can the same be said for Belize City?

Consultation or Coercion?

The mayor claims that consultations have been conducted and that many residents are willing to pay a garbage fee. However, a poll conducted last year by Love News found that just over 50% of participants supported the idea. This slim majority does not reflect a strong mandate, especially when no transparent plans have been presented to demonstrate how the funds would be managed or ensure service improvements.

A Symptom of Larger Problems

The push for a garbage fee is not just about waste management—it is a symptom of deeper systemic issues:

1. Lack of Financial Transparency: The City Council has failed to provide a clear breakdown of its revenue and expenditure, fueling suspicions of mismanagement.
2. Misplaced Priorities: Essential services like garbage collection are being deprioritized in favor of non-critical expenses.
3. Failure to Plan: The administration’s inability to renegotiate its contract with BWC or explore alternative waste management solutions demonstrates poor leadership.

A Call for Action, Not Excuses

Belize City residents should demand accountability before agreeing to any additional fees. The following steps must be taken immediately:

1. Public Audit: The City Council should release a detailed report on how existing tax revenues are being spent.
2. Transparent Planning: Any proposal for a garbage fee must include a clear plan outlining how the funds will be used, with guarantees of improved services.
3. Contract Review: The administration must renegotiate its contract with BWC to ensure it is financially sustainable.
4. Innovative Waste Solutions: The council should explore waste-to-energy initiatives, recycling programs, and public-private partnerships to reduce long-term costs.

Leadership Must Take Responsibility

Mayor Wagner’s administration was elected to manage the city’s resources effectively, not to continuously shift the burden onto taxpayers. If the council cannot deliver basic services with its current budget, it must address its internal failures before asking residents to pay more.

This is not just about garbage—it is about trust, leadership, and accountability. Belize City residents deserve better, and it is time for the council to deliver on its promises or make way for those who can.