HAVING taken aim at financial institutions and media houses over outstanding fees for signage and advertisements, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) has now set its sights on car dealerships across the municipality.

Addressing Tuesday’s meeting of the KSAMC Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby said 188 letters were printed for dispatch with billing applied retroactively for several years to operators of car dealerships.

According to Swaby, this was in line with the legal framework for the collection of outstanding fees.

“So far, we have been able to deliver 89 of those letters, accounting for approximately $5.79 million in revenue bill. Invoices have already been issued to these dealerships and our team is actively following up to encourage payment,” said Swaby.

“As of July 4, 2025, 15 businesses, roughly 11.4 per cent, have made payment amounting to close to $800,000. We are also making efforts to track down businesses that have relocated. We want to ensure that they are held accountable for what is owed to the KSAMC,” added Swaby.

He told the meeting that the KSAMC’s Compliance Unit will continue to pursue the outstanding amounts to ensure full compliance.

“This exercise is not just about collecting money, it’s about collecting well-needed resources, which are required to fund operations to ensure that the municipality is managed in the way that it should. Part of the outstanding funds will be used to replace missing and damaged street signs across Kingston and St Andrew,” the mayor said.

He pointed out that these street signs are critical as they help people to find their way, guide emergency services, and keep the roads organised and safe.

In March that KSAMC reported that five financial institutions owed it more than $12 million in fees for signs installed at various branches and automated teller machines.

Documents seen by the Jamaica Observer at the time showed that as at February 2025, one institution owed the KSAMC more than $5 million, while another owed close to $3.5 million. Three other financial institutions had outstanding payments of more than $3.5 million.

Swaby later reported that the financial institutions had made contact with the KSAMC with discussions about payments.

In June the mayor revealed that nine media houses owed the local authority for fees related to advertisements across the Corporate Area.

He reported then that two of the media houses had made payments, and one had responded seeking additional information, while others had acknowledged receipt of the letters sent by the KSAMC

Swaby pointed out that KSAMC records showed that some media entities have outstanding obligations to the corporation dating as far back as seven years ago and warned that court action could be taken against them.

“This administration is doing what others should have done years ago, ensuring compliance and collecting revenues lawfully owed to the KSAMC,” Swaby said then.

Under the regulations permission must be sought from municipal corporations before putting up signs, billboards and banners for advertising purposes. Applications must be submitted to the municipal authority if people and entities wish to erect shop signs, billboards, banners, party signs, building branding and murals.

When applying, individuals and entities must complete and submit four copies of the application form along with a sketch of the location site showing the surrounding properties, existing sidewalk, roadways, a detailed plan of sign elevation, and pay requisite fees.