Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has lauded Westmoreland residents for meeting their property tax obligations to the government.

“Westmoreland has demonstrated over the last three years — if you didn’t know — as one of those parishes that has maintained a certain level of compliance in property tax collection,” McKenzie announced during his address at a property tax town hall meeting held at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall in Westmoreland last week.

The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in collaboration with the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation and the Social Development Commission.

McKenzie said he is encouraged with the performance of the parish whose economy was not as strong as others.

“And your economy is not as strong as some other parishes and that is why we are encouraged by what we have seen by residents who have made the effort to pay their property taxes,” said the minister, adding “you must be commended, we want to congratulate you.”

He noted that some $291 million of the projected $607 million in property taxes for Westmoreland during the 2017/2018 financial year, have so far been collected.

“So basically, when we look at where you are, you are at about 49 per cent collections so far,” said McKenzie, who added “clap yourselves, you’re doing well, better than some parishes.”

Property taxes are used to provide a wide range of services, including road repairs, street lights, fire services and garbage collections.