Santo Domingo Este moves to raise municipal taxes to fund services

The municipal council of Santo Domingo Este is reviewing a proposal to amend its tax ordinances (arbitrios) with the goal of increasing monthly collections from roughly 58 million pesos to more than 80 million pesos. The additional revenue would be directed toward improving core services such as solid‑waste collection, park maintenance, and drainage infrastructure, addressing long‑standing shortfalls in the city’s budget.

The discussion follows broader calls to strengthen municipal finances across the Dominican Republic. Advocates point to the recent performance of the Santo Domingo Este administration, which has demonstrated that disciplined planning and strategic investment can deliver visible results even under limited budgets. They argue that expanding fiscal capacity and modernizing financial tools for local governments are essential for sustainable development and better public services nationwide.