Good ideas and comments, please keep them coming.

Skippy, the rates on the island range from between 1 - 4% of the "assessed" value of the property. Since the assessments in many cases are highly inaccuratly low, the annual property taxes are extremely low. Unfortunately because of the low taxation costs many basic services, amenities and even infrastructure is sorely lacking in this town.

For example, many existing condo complexes pay only $300 Bz per year for the entire complex! Some complexes have begun to be assessed by individual units and the costs run between $150 - 225.00 per unit per year. Many million dollar mansions pay $350 Bz per year. But as I mentioned, there is no rhyme or reason to the assessments, for example I own a vacant lot up the coast that was inaccessible by road and had no power for many years and my taxes are and have been $825. And yet half million dollar villas in the same neighbourhood are paying $500 - shared amongst a few homes. My old house in San Pablo cost only $45.00 per year!

I posed the question - how much would you be willing to pay, or how much do you think you ought to pay because many of the property owners on the caye come from industialised first world nations. These tax payers know how high their property taxes are in those countries, and why.

I am shocked at the absolute thrill I see on some people's faces when they realize that their taxes on a $1m BZ home is only $500 Bz per year. But they still expect the streets to be fixed, a high level of sanitation, security, health care etc. So many complainants are indignant when the streets are impassable or the town trash truck breaks down and can't service all of the areas efficiently. I PAY MY TAXES - you hear them cry. Well, as with most things in life, we get what we pay for.

I seem to recall that if all of taxes are paid each year San Pedro could raise around $3million Belize dollars. To some that may sound like a lot of money, but these days that kind of money doesn't even scratch the surface.

The San Pedro town council receives an annual stipend from the Central Government that amounts to $65K Bz per year. Every time we have a few inches of rain and the streets are severely potholed the cost to fill holes and grade etc. can cost $60K.

The street rehabilitation project is costing millions.

There are many other vital areas of importance that must be addressed.

It looks like our free ride or cheap thrill is over - if we want to improve the general quality of life, health and security in our town, whether this is your full time home or vacation get-a-way, we love this place, we love the people and now we have to start taking more responsibility for our actions and requirements.

Let's do this together! Viva San Pedro!