Belize City residents are facing their first property tax increase in over thirteen years as municipal authorities implement an 18% adjustment for 2026. Mayor Bernard Wagner defended the controversial decision as both legally mandated and financially necessary for maintaining city services.
The tax adjustment stems from the long-overdue property valuation update required every five years under the Town Property Evaluation Act. The city had continued using 2013 valuation models that no longer accurately reflected current market conditions or the actual costs of municipal operations.
Mayor Wagner emphasized that despite the significant percentage increase, most homeowners would experience only minimal actual payment increases due to incorporated incentive discounts. The mayor explained the historical context, noting that his predecessor, Mayor Darrell Bradley, had conducted a valuation exercise in 2017-2018 that would have implemented a 38% increase. However, Wagner’s administration deferred the increase initially to review the methodology and subsequently due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic impact.
The current increase represents the city’s effort to balance legal compliance with sensitivity to residents’ financial circumstances while ensuring adequate funding for essential municipal services. The updated valuations will provide city planners with accurate data regarding the total value of all properties within Belize City, enabling more informed budgetary decisions.