REPORT #332 June 2000
HERE IS A ROUGH DRAFT BUDGET DONE FOR THE COUNTRY, COVERING THE YEAR 2001


Produced by the Belize Development Trust

SINCE THE PUP POLITICAL PARTY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO PUBLISH A BUDGET, IT BEING BEYOND THEIR ABILITIES. THE IDEA IS TO BRING SOME SANITY BACK TO GOVERNING A SMALL COUNTRY THAT IS NOT BIG ENOUGH IN REVENUES TO QUALIFY AS THE SMALLEST CORPORATION ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. ($150 million USA)

( for debating purposes )

The following 2001 budget is fairly realistic. It is predicted on an annual revenue of between $280 million to $330 million for this year.

Since we believe from all published data that $280 million is the average income, and that cycles around the mean average will go upward of $330 million, the actual budget of the nation will be calculated on the average of $280 million. It is quite possible the income for the year 2000 will be around $350 million. That doesn't guarantee that it will be so for the year 2001 though.

Any excess of income over and above $280 million, whatever it is going to be, will be assigned to be deposited in the nation's savings of Fiscal Foreign Reserves.

The actual budget used for the year 2001 is a fixed $280 million. No outside borrowing permitted. GRANT FACTORIES will be established at all levels of government.

a) Of $280 million, 25% will be applied to outstanding foreign loans for principal when possible and interest payments. If this is not enough, we will default on something, or reduce payments.

The amount available for interest payments and principal for the year will be $70 million, to be divided among our foreign creditors.

b) This leaves $205 million to govern the country.

It is believed that the current method of governing the country is not cost efficient, so autonomy of the Districts will be necessary and each district will be given a base amount with which to pay all government functions outside of national interests.

c) Each District government will receive $73.8 million to carry on all government traditionally done by Belmopan at the local level. The total for all six districts is 36% of national revenues, or 6% for each district equally. This comes to $12.3 million for distribution for government services in each district equally.

This is to cover

a) Police
b) Public Works
c) Schools & Education
d) Social things
e) local courts under elected local judges f) etc.

National Government is responsible for:
a) A national small professional police out of Belmopan, similar to the USA, FBI operations.
b) Defense, or the BDF
c) Legislative and Senate costs
e) Government printers, or Internet based publishing of government
f) Post Office throughout the country.
g) Foreign Embassies
h) Inter-District highway systems
i) Customs and Immigration
j) Ports and Aviation
k) Forestry & Agriculture
l) Other departments
m) To provide other matching grants to District Governments for specialized projects and programs outline in Grant applications.
$131.20 million is available for Belmopan to carry out these duties.

In order to make such budgets work according to national revenue flows, it will be necessary to reorganize the way the National Government is run. The Cabinet should be a Collegiate Body, sort of similar to a Fishing Cooperative Managing committee without any Ministerial Posts. Only hired professional departmental managers. There should be seven members for this Collegiate Body, just like Switzerland. One for each district and one as a tie breaker from the Federal District of Belmopan. The Prime Minister could be decided annually in turn from the Collegiate Body, or from the Legislature.

The Legislature and Senate should be elected by direct voting with equal representation from each district, irregardless of population numbers. Population numbers will only count in District, or Town governments elections.

The Police will be run locally under locally elected chiefs, or commissioners, but retain national training and communications. The budget that is already spent on police for each district can be the starting valuation for necessary funds, from District budget distributions. Similarly the District Hospital and clinics, teachers and schools, etc.

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