In 2002, the municipality of Limpio was going through a financial crisis and the mayor sought help from USAID. In order to improve city revenues, the mayor wanted to expedite the collection of taxes from businesses in the area.

Experts reviewed the tax collections database with municipal workers and discovered several cases of tax evasion. One case in particular stood out. “The Rancher,” a large meat vendor, had paid just $90 a year in taxes for several years, when it was supposed to pay $1,500 for two large properties situated in Limpio’s most expensive neighborhood. The case was complex, because this was a powerful local business and, although it had been paying some taxes regularly, the payments were inadequate.

Project consultants and municipal employees reported the matter to the mayor, Optaciano Gómez. Determined to resolve the financial crisis and change attitudes about taxes, he responded, “Gentlemen, the taxpayer has to pay what he owes, no matter how powerful he may be.”

This was no simple task: the company controlled an economic empire, and the situation called for creativity and determination. As negotiations began, tensions rose and there was little certainty that they would be resolved amicably. Despite the challenging start, an agreement was reached thanks to both USAID assistance and training and local officials’ persistence and dedication.

Authorities gave the company one year to reconcile its debt and pay the municipality back taxes and penalties totaling $5,000. With that money, the mayor was able to pave streets that residents had long wanted paved and construct a police precinct.