Mixco Mayor Neto Bran Announces “Zero Allowances” for Himself and Council Members Amid Municipal Finances

Mixco Mayor Neto Bran announced that he and the members of the municipal council would stop receiving their allowances from Sept. 2, citing the municipality’s financial situation.

In a video posted on social media, Bran said the move was intended to help the municipality pay its workers. He attributed the financial strain to congressional decisions that affected municipal employees’ salaries and reduced funds for public works.

“We may struggle to pay for a few days, but we will make the effort so that all of you receive your salaries. If that meant giving up our allowances, we have done so today out of affection, but above all out of vocation,” Bran said.

“

We may struggle to pay for a few days, but we will make the effort so that all of you receive your salaries. If that meant giving up our allowances, we have done so today out of affection, but above all out of vocation.

Bran said council members’ allowances amounted to about Q60,000 per council member. The money will instead go toward the salaries of workers carrying out Mixco’s municipal projects.

The mayor linked the decision to reforms of Guatemala’s Single Real Estate Tax, known as IUSI, which Congress approved on July 29. He has previously opposed the reform and called it “populist and deceptive,” arguing that eliminating the housing tax would leave municipalities without enough money to continue projects. He also asked President Bernardo Arévalo to veto the measure.

“

Populist and deceptive.