Vacant lots continue to be one of the main complaints from residents. To date, there are 1,200 outstanding fines that have gone unpaid by the owners of these properties, directly impacting the city’s image and the quality of life for those living in surrounding areas.
Given this situation, Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada stated that the city is seeking to encourage debtors to regularize their situation through a discount program, but with one fundamental condition: that the owners clean the lots to receive the benefits; in other words, they must take responsibility for the cleanup.
The mayor highlighted that, as an incentive, an 80% discount can be offered on large fines.
In the pursuit of a cleaner and more orderly city, she explained that various administrative phases have been carried out. Some have already been completed, while others are still underway, due to the constant complaints from residents.
According to her, having a vacant lot next to a house presents multiple problems, such as the proliferation of pests, the accumulation of garbage, and, in many cases, the use of these spaces as hiding places for people from outside the area.
The mayor called on those who have already been notified to contact the appropriate authorities and begin cleaning their lots in order to take advantage of available discounts and avoid having their properties seized.
Seizure is not a desired measure, but rather a last resort, she clarified, since the main objective is to keep the city and its spaces clean and safe.
Applications submitted to the Vacant Lots Department of the Sub-Directorate of Governance of the Directorate of Governance of the Municipality of Mérida will be accepted until March 31 of this year.
To receive the discount, citizens must go to the Legal Unit and Collection Department of the Municipal Finance and Treasury Directorate, where the payment order will be processed, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
With these actions, the City Council reiterated its call for civic responsibility, emphasizing dialogue and incentives as the means to achieve a cleaner, more orderly, and safer Mérida for all.
Source: yucatan
