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A Day In The Municipal Office
So, what DOES it take to get government permission to build a 10-foot wall, around a 2-acre plot of land, in a third world country? Based on what Mike did on Tuesday the answer appears to be an entire day in the city municipal office and less than $600.
At 8:30am Mike went to the Office of Municipal Planning (OMP) with all the paperwork he was told to bring. “Good job”, he was told, “But, this document needs to be typed and signed by the Community President.” So Mike ran home, typed the document and had the Community President sign it…and back to the OMP.
Then to the Office of Taxes. “You must pay 19 Limpira (95 cents) in back taxes.” Off to the Cashier’s Office, stand in line for 30 minutes and pay the back taxes. Return to the Office of Taxes, “Are you a Honduran Resident Mr. Pettengill?” “Yes I am.”, I said, “Just received my residency two months ago”. “Congratulations!” she said, “Since you are a Resident you have to pay 100 Limpira ($5) in personal tax.” Off to the Cashier’s Office, stand in line and pay tax. Return to Office of Taxes, get the stamp I need and thank the lady.
Then to the Office of Maps at 1:00pm. “Hi, I need you to confirm our property has a map.” The lady stops reading her magazine and goes to the “proper” drawer, “I’m sorry, that property doesn’t exist.”, she says. “Yes it does, I was there yesterday.”, I said, “Can you look again?”. She does, begrudgingly. “OK, here it is.” And she stamps my paper.
I return to the OMP. “Great job Mr. Pettengill, now drive our inspector to your property.”, says the nice man. So I drive the inspector out to our property, he asks me to help measure it, and then asks me if I have a camera to take pictures. “Uh, yeah.”
The inspector and I return to the OMP at 3:30pm, he downloads my pictures and shakes my hand as he leaves for the day. “Am I done?”, I question eagerly. “As soon as you pay the fee at the Cashier’s Office, but they close in five minutes.” I run to the office and beg the man to open the door. I pay him 11,000 Limpira ($550) and take the receipt back to the OMP, which is closed. I beg them to open and they do. They process my paperwork and say, “OK Mr. Pettengill, it is all approved. Just come back tomorrow morning at 8:00am to get your certificate.” With my best puppy dog eyes, “I can’t get it now?” “No, we’re closed.”
