City Councilman Samuel Varela was received in an audience by the Mayor of Brava

According to Samuel Varela, the meeting took place in a “pleasant and very informative” atmosphere, allowing him, in his capacity as a resident and municipal council member, to raise issues he considers relevant to Brava’s present and future.

“I met with the president of the CMB as a representative of the MpD caucus in the AM. It was a pleasant and very enlightening conversation, given some issues that had been troubling me as a resident and council member,” said Varela.

Among the issues discussed was the island’s agricultural situation, marked by a lack of rain and the difficulties faced by families who depend on agriculture and livestock farming. The assemblyman expressed concern about the impact of the poor agricultural year on the incomes of families in Brava.

Samuel Varela also drew attention to the pests that have been affecting livestock, causing significant losses among some ranchers at a time when agricultural production is already compromised by adverse weather conditions.

In this context, the representative sought to understand the current coordination between the Brava Municipal Council and the Government to address the consequences of the poor agricultural year and what mitigation measures could be implemented to support affected farmers, livestock breeders, and families.

Another key topic of the meeting was the desalination plant, which the population eagerly awaits to begin operations. Varela sought to find out what stage the work is at and when production of water for public consumption is expected to begin.

More than just the infrastructure becoming operational, the representative says he is particularly concerned about the final price of water. As he explains, the redesign required to set up the filtration system and the use of chemicals could result in high ongoing costs for the company Água Brava.

His concern, he adds, is that these costs will ultimately be reflected in the final price of water, directly penalizing consumers, farmers, livestock breeders, and the construction sector. For Samuel Varela, a potential significant increase in the price of an essential good could place a new burden on families and the local economy.

The third major issue addressed was social housing, specifically the lack of land and projects capable of meeting the population’s housing needs and helping to retain residents and professionals on the island. Varela argues that the City Council must take decisive action on this matter, starting with the mapping and registration of existing rural properties on Brava, particularly in the town of Nova Sintra.

The municipal councilor also raised the issue of the Single Property Tax (IUP), calling for a reevaluation of land taxation. According to Varela, while urban properties—specifically occupied homes—are taxed, the owners of many rural properties do not pay the IUP, even though some of these plots have market values higher than those of many homes.

For Samuel Varela, this situation represents not only a potential loss of revenue for the municipality but also an opportunity that could be used to finance and drive the island’s development. The representative believes that the proper valuation and taxation of land assets should be part of a broader strategy for development, housing, and retaining the population on Brava.

MS