BIRTHDAY GIRL & Fernando
Cullen and Birthday Girl, Why does Al have such a big grin?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Our fish story
We have a great stay once again at Coco beach, here are a couple of our trophy catches
in tne luxury schooner the "Colorado" For you that don't know that is Al and Janine's boat.
I will have more pictures of Tanya's birthday party(29th) in the next couple of day.
Also will have the back pool 27' slide that is on the testing phase.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Pool Slide
Fernando was working on the pool slide today. It should be operational in a few days.
Construction on the restaurant has stopped. We heard that the construction was making too much noise for the guests and would be restarted in slow season with a completion by next December.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Property Taxes
From the minutes of the March 25, 2010 Ambergris caye Chamber of Commerce meeting:
Mr. Claudio Azueta attended the meeting to answer questions about the property tax increase. He is on the Appeals Board but until the recent announcement on tax increases there have not been any appeals. The property tax rate has not changed but the assessed values have changed. All property will be charged at 1-1/2% of the undeveloped value and if there is a structure, an additional tax of 2-1/2% of the yearly rental value is charged. Essentially this has led to a 3500% increase in the taxes. Many people are upset about this sudden increase in property taxes. Most people feel that the tax rate is very low and an increase would be acceptable but this is an unreasonable hike. It could also allow selective application of the tax. Mr. Azueta recommended that if you feel that your tax has increased unfairly, write a letter to: Chairman of Valuations Appeal Board San Pedro Town and deliver it to the Town Council Office. This tax increase is being shouldered by those that already pay taxes but there is 3-4 Million dollars in uncollected taxes and no penalties have been assessed for non-payment. Most felt that an attempt should be made to collect these taxes before assessing more taxes on those that do pay. It was suggested that if an outside collection agency was hired to collect the taxes owed that it may be more successful than having the Town Council try to collect them. The current law on the books to deal with non-payment of taxes allows the Town Council to inform the owners that taxes are due, then file in court and after 1 year, the property can be seized. So far, some Chamber members had paid their taxes recently but the rate was the same. Claudio knew of others whose rates had gone up the 3500%. The new tax rates will apply to 2010 taxes.
Our taxes have been very low. We may see a change this year.
Mr. Claudio Azueta attended the meeting to answer questions about the property tax increase. He is on the Appeals Board but until the recent announcement on tax increases there have not been any appeals. The property tax rate has not changed but the assessed values have changed. All property will be charged at 1-1/2% of the undeveloped value and if there is a structure, an additional tax of 2-1/2% of the yearly rental value is charged. Essentially this has led to a 3500% increase in the taxes. Many people are upset about this sudden increase in property taxes. Most people feel that the tax rate is very low and an increase would be acceptable but this is an unreasonable hike. It could also allow selective application of the tax. Mr. Azueta recommended that if you feel that your tax has increased unfairly, write a letter to: Chairman of Valuations Appeal Board San Pedro Town and deliver it to the Town Council Office. This tax increase is being shouldered by those that already pay taxes but there is 3-4 Million dollars in uncollected taxes and no penalties have been assessed for non-payment. Most felt that an attempt should be made to collect these taxes before assessing more taxes on those that do pay. It was suggested that if an outside collection agency was hired to collect the taxes owed that it may be more successful than having the Town Council try to collect them. The current law on the books to deal with non-payment of taxes allows the Town Council to inform the owners that taxes are due, then file in court and after 1 year, the property can be seized. So far, some Chamber members had paid their taxes recently but the rate was the same. Claudio knew of others whose rates had gone up the 3500%. The new tax rates will apply to 2010 taxes.
Our taxes have been very low. We may see a change this year.
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