Which Costa Rican Municipalities Use Taxpayer's Money The Best - 2006? Santa Ana #3 and Escazu is at #4

Jairo Villegas S.

Eleven municipalities improve use of taxpayer's money and stand out in ranking done by Comptroller's office.

Eleven local governments significantly improved their fiscal management in the last five years resulting in benefits for 526,000 citizens who received better public services and more public works.

This permitted these municipalities to ascend 30 places in the ranking done by the Comptroller's office, which will be presented to the mayors today.

Alajuela showed the most improvement, rising from 66th to 19th place from a total of 89 local governments.

Other municipalities which showed noteworthy progress are: Guatuso, Hojancha, Montes de Oro, Oreamuno, Puntarenas, Parrita, Talamanca and Valverde Vega.

Fabio Molina, Alajuela's mayor, indicated that the improvement was achieved because they applied "high management criteria with help from INCAE."

Meanwhile, 12 municipalities relapsed in their financial management affecting 420,000 people.

The worst case was Tibás which occupied 9th place in 2001, but is now ranked 67th, descending 58 places due to its financial crisis.

Mayra Gonzalez, mayor of Tibás, qualified this result as "logical." "When I took office in September 2005, the city was nearly broke. Under my direction we have improved finances."

Other cities which descended at least 30 places in the ranking include: Colorado, Curridabat, Esparza, Golfito, La Cruz, Naranjo, Santa Cruz, Siquirres, Tucurrique and Turrubares.

Which Costa Rican Municipalities Use Taxpayer's Money The Best?

The ranking by the Comptroller's office measures financial management by analyzing 27 indicators including tax collection, expenses, management, past due taxes, among others.

This study has been done twice, in 2001 and in 2006. Municipalities which improve collection of taxes administer their resources more efficiently and provide better services.

Belén ranked first both times.

Victor Víquez, Belen's mayor assured, "we were able to maintain this position even though our personnel was reduced 12 people and other municipalities have made an effort to improve."

In the 2006 ranking Santa Ana was second, displacing San José to third place. Alajuelita came in last.

Our thanks to Jairo Villegas S. and our friends at La Nación - Costa Rica's largest Spanish circulation newspaper for their permission use this article.