Corozal Mayor Says Previous Mayor Spent More What the Council Earned

Corozal Town was one of the municipalities that the People’s United Party won in the municipal elections earlier this year. The current mayor is Rigoberto ‘Rigo’ Vellos who defeated the U.D.P.’s, Richard Quan. Well tonight, Mayor Vellos is accusing the former Mayor, Hilberto Campos of overspending. Vellos and his council have released a nine-page financial audit report, looking at the spending timeline of the previous town council. The report details a few of the issues that the new town council has been able to unearth.  Vellos says it has been a challenge to obtain information regarding the alleged irregularities due to the lack of records. Nonetheless, the council attempted to highlight some of the issues that are of grave concern for them. Mayor Vellos revealed some of the financial discrepancies found.

Rigoberto “Rigo” Vellos

Rigoberto “Rigo” Vellos, Mayor, Corozal Town

“Total expenditures as at March thirty first, 2018 was three million dollars while total revenue at March thirty first 2018 was two point eight-eight millions. As you can see they were spending more than what they were receiving, a deficit of one hundred and fifty six thousand, three hundred and fifty three dollars and sixty one cents. That’s under the town administration which is the past mayor’s sister, Ms Estella Campos. Despite having a huge deficit, the new council found additional unpaid bulls totaling more than two hundred thousand dollars. I repeat the new council found additional unpaid bulls totaling more than two hundred thousand dollars. The staff advances account showed an outstanding balance of six hundred and seventeen thousand , six hundred and forty one dollars and seventy seven cents. This is an issue of major concern and attempts were made to address it forthwith. It was revealed that the staff advances ledger had not been updated for several years hence the reason why it reflected such an exorbitant amount outstanding. For the financial years, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 the total expenditure account budget was exceeded by a total of five hundred and forty eight thousand, eight hundred dollars and sixty one cents. On budgeted expenses were twenty five thousand reimbursed to Hilberto Campos then the mayor of Corozal town for a Toyota, fifty five thousand for a garbage truck. Keep in mind these were all reimbursements to the past mayor. Twelve point five thousand reimbursed again to Mr. Campos for a ride mower. It is noted with grave concern that the practice spending in the excess of the amounts allocated in the budget was habitual on the part of the past Corozal Town Council.”