Portmore Mayor Keith Hinds is urging residents to utilise the many services offered by the new collectorate located at Braeton Parkway.

"I say to the citizens of Portmore, you are very articulate about the services that you want to be delivered to you. Put your money where your mouth is and watch the Municipality at work," the Mayor said.

Mr Hinds was speaking at the official opening of the collectorate, recently. The collectorate was opened to the public on July 28. Approximately $30 million in taxes was collected from 2,811 cash transactions, up to the end of July.

Mayor Hinds said there are a number of developmental activities planned by the Municipality. "But we cannot do it without the support of the citizens," he stressed.

He said the Municipality has been moving speedily, not only to create a "business-minded community", but one that is geared towards paying taxes.

new complex

The Mayor pointed out that the Municipality would soon be in possession of a business plan for the construction of a new 300,000 sq. ft. complex in Portmore. A management consultancy contract was signed in July by Global Business Support Services Limited to write a business-development plan for the new building.

Acting Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Darlene Morrison, said the establishment of a tax office in Portmore was in keeping with the development of the area and the need for residents to be provided with all the services associated with a city.

She said a survey conducted by the Tax Administration Department, revealed that approximately six per cent of all tax office transactions islandwide relate to persons and businesses with Portmore addresses. It also showed that over 90 per cent of Portmore transactions were done at the busy Spanish Town, Kingston, Cross Roads and Constant Spring collectorates.