Topics in Central Committee: Budgets, Audit Chamber.

Main topics on the agenda for the Central Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, September 27, are the 2012 budget amendments and the 2012-2016 budgets. The meeting will be held at the Administration Building in The Bottom, 9:00am-12:00pm.

The proposal of Bonaire for legislation that would set up a Joint Audit Chamber for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, is also on the agenda. The formation of such an institution had been discussed during a meeting of the Island Councils of Bonaire and Statia. It had been Saba’s position that it “agreed to any decision [by the Island Councils of Bonaire and Statia, Ed.], but only if the decision won’t have a great impact” on Saba.

A memo presented to the Central Committee by registrar Els Boers stated that “Bonaire has now made a proposal that has a great financial impact for Saba.” Bonaire’s proposal would make Saba the biggest percapita contributor to the Audit Chamber, with payment of more than US $10 per inhabitant; a substantial increase compared with previous statements that each island would contribute about $2 per inhabitant. The proposal states that the islands of the Caribbean Netherlands have a choice to start a joint Audit Chamber, but Boers said this was not the case. “It was forced by law without the necessary finances to make it work properly,” Boers stated in the memo. “The law has to be followed, but it cannot be forced on the Island Councils to make a decision that is financially unreasonable.” Following ministerial suggestions, Boers advised the Island Council to enter into consultation with the two other Island Councils, and jointly request ministerial action to adjust the law.

Source: “The Daily Herald” 2012-09-22