Mayor Bernard Wagner says he has no problems with city administrator or auditors

Posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2022. 8:45 pm CST.

By Benjamin Flowers: Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner has come on record to denounce media reports that several Belize City Council staff, including the City Administrator and two auditors, have either resigned or have been fired.

Wagner first addressed the issue of Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt, where the allegations were that she was placed on mandatory leave following a contentious caucus meeting where her performance was heavily criticized. He categorized the allegations as “absolutely untrue” noting that Garbutt had requested to be on vacation leave and that her position is secure upon her return.

“She had a contract up until the ending of March 2024. We have always been a council that believed we will not give any city administrator [to] any council outside our term of office,” Wagner said. “So when our term of office concludes in February 2024, hers concludes March just to give her that transition period for any new city administrator that the new council may want to bring in.”

With respect to the audit department, Wagner said that Marilyn Garvin’s contract has expired and she gave no indication that she wished to renew it. Wagner said that he spoke to Garvin as recently as last week, and maintains a cordial relationship with her. Meanwhile, Wagner says that Auditor Travis Lennon left the council to take up a job offer in Belmopan where he can be closer to his family.

“We have been a very transparent council. You can go on our website at any time and see the minutes of the caucus meeting,” Wagner said. “Within a few days you will see what transpired, I ask you to bear some patience.”

Members of the council explained that the minutes of the caucus meeting must be vetted by the caucus before they are uploaded on the council’s website, and that vetting will take place in a matter of days.

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