Câmara de Lobos debates tourist tax allocation and tax cuts

Political debate has intensified in the Câmara de Lobos Municipal Assembly regarding fiscal management and resource allocation. The Socialist Party (PS) has proposed a measure to allocate 50% of the annual revenue collected from the municipal tourist tax to a dedicated fund for agricultural preservation. This fund would support local farmers in maintaining traditional landscapes, including the repair of stone walls, cleaning of irrigation channels (levadas), and maintenance of access paths.

In response, Mayor Celso Bettencourt criticized the proposal, characterizing it as a move by the opposition to create “political numbers” without financial sustainability. The Mayor also addressed a proposal from the JPP to further reduce the municipal share of IRS (income tax) from 2.5% to 2%. While the current 2.5% rate is intended to provide tax relief while maintaining investment capacity, Bettencourt warned that excessive revenue loss could impact the municipality's ability to fund territorial investments.