Villas

Valuation Review Board Established For Nevis Property Tax

Mr Patrice Nisbett - Legal Advisor

Mr. Patrice Nisbett – Nevis Island Legal Advisor

Charlestown, Nevis
June 30, 2008

Property owners with objections based on property valuations under the Property Tax Ordinance which was passed in the Nevis Island Assembly in April 2008, can now take their grievances to a body of persons who were given the mandate to make determinations in relation to their objections.

During an interview with the Department of Information on June 30, 2008, Legal Advisor in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Mr. Patrice Nisbett, disclosed that the Valuation Review Board which was appointed by the Minister of Finance Hon. Joseph Parry and became effective as of June 01, 2008, would be chaired by Ms. Yasmin Clarke with members Mr. Mervin Richardson, Mr. Eustace Hunkins, Mr. William Griffin, Mr. Vernon Evelyn and Secretary Mrs. Semona Johnson-Morton.

“The powers of the Board are to determine any complaint that is made before it on a specific matter. For example the tax payer may complain about the description that is placed in a valuation notice that is received.

“They [tax payers] may complain about the particular class in which the property has been assigned to by the Chief Valuation Officer. There are various classes for example the commercial class, residential class the accommodation class. A particular property owner may be dissatisfied about the particular class that is assigned to his or her particular property and then they may make a complaint and this Board has the jurisdiction to make a determination,” he said.

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Silver Reef Development Construction To Start In May

Silver Reef Development - St. Kitts

Artist’s Concept Silver Reef Development

Basseteere, Saint Kitts – Nevis
May 20, 2008 (CUOPM)

Construction is to start soon on the US$30 million Silver Reef Resort on St. Kitts’ Frigate Bay.

The project involves the construction of 54 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and 8 duplex villas, two swimming pools and a small, but much needed, 12,000 square foot commercial area, which has attracted local entrepreneurs wishing to bring their expertise in the form of restaurants, shops and a bank.

“This exciting development is unique in its combination of smart condominium apartments and exclusive private villas laid out in a lush, tropical setting of thoughtfully landscaped gardens punctuated with signature pools and cabanas.  Its stunning location, running beside the immaculate Royal St. Kitts Golf Course will make it a landmark resort,” said Chairman of Silver Reef, Mr. Sebastian Mottram.

He said that the 4.5 acre Silver Reef Resort has been 18 months in the planning and it is anticipated that it will be another 20 months in the execution.

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Nevis Premier To Speak About Property Tax

Nevis Premier At Town Hall Meeting About Property Taxes

Nevis Premier Speaks About Property Taxes

Charlestown, Nevis
May 7th, 2008

As part of the Government’s policy of inclusion and transparency, Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Joseph Parry is taking part in Town Hall meetings across the island to discuss the newly installed Property Tax Bill.  This is being done in collaboration with the Nevis Inland Revenue Service, in an effort to give residents of Nevis the opportunity to air their views on the issue.

Legal Adviser- Hon. Patrice Nisbett, Nevis Island Revenue Service (Ag.) Deputy Controller – Ms. Neva Manners and Inland Revenue Officer- Mr. Bryan Gillfillan, will all join the Premier on a panel to enlighten the general public on matters surrounding the Bill.

According to Premier Parry, about 20% of homeowners would be tax exempt under the new tax law.  Persons, who pay under $100 now, will be paying less under the new system.  It may be noted, therefore, that with this new arrangement, there is more scope for individuals to be treated fairly.

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NIA Embarks On Physical Development Plans On Nevis

Charlestown, Nevis
April 18, 2008

In accordance with the Nevis Physical Development Planning Ordinance 2005, the Physical Planning Unit in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) held a Stakeholders Consultation on April 10, 2008, at the Mount Nevis Hotel, to embark on the process of developing physical development plans for specific areas on Nevis.
 
The Organization of American States (OAS) Director to St Kitts and Nevis Mr. Starret D. Greene, who spoke at the consultation, confirmed that the OAS through its Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) approved the Nevis Physical Development Plan, with funding from its Special Multilateral Fund for technical cooperation.
 
He further added that through the project, the goal of the OAS was to further strengthen its partnership with the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and to provide help to Nevis for the development of a comprehensive system of land usage.
 
“Moreover, the OAS recognised that land was a premium on the island of Nevis, given the island’s relatively small size and it was essential to develop a legal, administrative and managerial system that would ensure an orderly long-range development plan to guide every aspect of the island’s physical development,” he said.

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