Who Decides Pay Raises for Mayors and Councilors?

Conflicting positions have emerged within government regarding who has the authority to approve salary increases for mayors and municipal councilors, following recent public discussion on municipal compensation.  The issue arose after Love News confirmed last week that no salary increases have been approved for the Belize City Mayor or City Councilors, despite lobbying efforts by the council dating back to last year. While a concept paper was submitted to central government, no approval was granted and current salary scales remain in place.  Speaking with Love News, Minister of Local Government Oscar Requena indicated that any proposed salary adjustment for municipalities would require review by the central government, suggesting that the matter falls under national oversight.

Oscar Requena, Minister of Local Government: “I am aware of the request. I have not seen it, but certainly we are going to review it. There is going to be discussion on this matter. And at the end of the day, we have to ensure that the residents of Belize City or any other municipality for that matter, that they are taken into account first and foremost that those services that the residents of these municipalities are required that those are met first and foremost before we can consider any increase. Well the Ministry of Local Government has responsibility and oversight for these matters so yes they can make the request we will have to sit down with them and look at it and obviously engage in discussions and find a way to move forward. A lot of it has to do with the available finances of these municipalities.”

However, that position was later contradicted by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance John Briceño, who told reporters that decisions on salary increases for mayors and councilors fall within the discretion of individual town or city councils, not central government.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “That has not come to me, that’s a matter for within themselves that they do it is within the act, they can decide what stipend they want to be themselves.”

Reporter: Do you have anything to say on the salaries for mayors across the country?

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize:“No, we don’t, but obviously if we see something that’s totally out of line we call them, we call their attention and try to bring them back to line.”

The differing interpretations have raised questions about governance and clarity within the municipal framework, particularly as disparities in compensation across municipalities remain a concern. Currently, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner earns approximately $7,800 monthly inclusive of allowances, while councilors receive about $2,800 per month. By comparison, mayors and councilors in smaller municipalities such as San Pedro earn significantly more with the Mayor making an estimated eleven thousand dollars monthly.