Now, let’s turn to a topic that’s sparking serious discussion in public finance, outsourcing under the semi-autonomous revenue authority. The big question is how will that process actually unfold? And just as crucial, how will the board ensure those contracts go to individuals who are truly qualified? These aren’t merely procedural concerns, they strike at the heart of financial accountability in government spending. Flowers weighed in and here is his perspective.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“Well one, the minute you take a government department and put it on a board then that legislation gives that board full authority to execute. So, there could be further outsourcing of services from BTSD and like I said, the impact of this will ultimately be felt by the Belizean people, because rather than all these revenues, and of course they will say that all the revenues will continue to be channeled into the consolidated revenue fund, and while that is good, we don’t know what provisions will be in the legislation about what comes out, and so no doubt in anybody’s mind, we are expected the cost to balloon, if not triple, in terms of running this thing, and if you service out to be able to accommodate. Again, how are board appointed? They are appointed by the prime minister. It is political appointment and again this is your largest revenue generating department.”
