G/Town City Council unveils delayed $4.28B budget for 2025

The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) on Tuesday presented a $4.28 billion budget for 2025, placing strong emphasis on improved drainage, urban development, and achieving the city’s long-term strategic goals.

Finance Committee Chairman, Lelon Saul, delivered the budget presentation, highlighting new revenue streams—particularly measures to regulate street vending—as key components of the Council’s 2025 agenda. He also pointed to several persistent challenges hampering the Council’s ability to implement projects effectively.

The presentation came several months behind schedule; it was originally due in November 2024 but was delayed due to administrative setbacks.

“In 2025, this year, our projected revenue is estimated at $3,837,518 and the expenditure is $4,282,490,755. The key objectives of our budget is to maintain in good order approximately 645 miles of drainage networks necessary for effectual drainage in the city,” Saul stated.

Notably, the budget reveals a significant deficit of $4.44 billion, prompting concerns about the city’s ability to meet its targets.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor, Alfonso De Armas.

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Councillor, Alfonso De Armas, expressed scepticism about the ambitious revenue projections.

“Last year the city generated, collected about $2.1 billion in revenues…but this year we are projecting an 81 per cent increase in revenues, halfway through the fiscal year none of those proposals have been implemented yet,” De Armas noted.

He added that it remains unclear where the expected funds will come from.

Saul explained that a major focus for 2025 will be on reducing mosquito breeding in the city, improving garbage disposal, and enhancing drainage systems. Public engagement is also set to increase, with more activities planned to educate and sensitise residents.

Revenue collection remains a cornerstone of the Council’s ability to finance projects. In this regard, the GM&CC will be looking to bolster income through general rates, market fees, billboard and advertising fees, leases, sanitation certificates, building permits, as well as street vending and public event charges.

Reflecting on 2024, Saul outlined several challenges that plagued the Council, including financial constraints, a shortage of manpower, and a lack of materials to execute key projects. Despite initiatives such as the regularisation of street vending and the introduction of a system to collect billboard and advertising fees, many of these efforts fell short of expectations.

One of the most critical issues, Saul admitted, was the Council’s failure to collaborate and communicate more effectively.

 

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