The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown has further extended the amnesty on the interest on rates to November 30, 2015.
According to Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, the extension followed a request by the amnesty committee with support from Mayor Hamilton Green.
Lewis explained that the extension is a direct result of the overwhelming response of residents, the request by several residents to afford them an opportunity to obtain documents such as proof of ownership as well as the inability of several residents, mostly pensioners, to raise the principal owed.
“In all fairness we have to allow these persons who have valid reason to be able to take advantage of what is being offered,” Lewis said.
Town Clerk Royston King noted that “Several pensioners who are desirous of taking advantage of the amnesty have been unable to raise the principal and they have asked to be given just a little more time so that they can raise the money. As a caring and courteous council we wish to give them a chance to take advantage of this opportunity.”
King stressed that this is last extension that will be offered and called for all property owners to make sure they advantage of the offered reprieve.
On September 1, M&CC began offering property owners of Georgetown an amnesty on the interest accumulated on property rates owed to the council. The amnesty which was originally offered up to September 30 allows those who are in arrears with the M&CC an opportunity to clear their debt.
Amid complaints about the inefficiency of the City Treasurer’s department, the M&CC decided, at its September 28 statutory meeting, to extend its amnesty to October 31.
So far the council has been able to collect in excess of $500 million over the two months the amnesty has been in effect. According to King, the council aims to rake in at least half of the $2 billion outstanding in rates.
