In a significant development, former PUP candidate Lawrence Ellis has secured a substantial weekly contract worth $33,000 with the Belize City Council. His company, Reliable Waste Solutions, will now oversee grass-cutting operations across the city’s 733 streets. Mayor Bernard Wagner highlighted the council’s long-standing challenges in maintaining the city’s green spaces, citing inefficiencies and substandard work from previous efforts. The new contract, Wagner claims, will not only improve the quality of grass-cutting services but also save the council millions annually. This decision, however, has sparked public scrutiny due to the hefty price tag and the political connections involved. Wagner defended the move, emphasizing the financial benefits and the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure the company’s performance.