Lawmaker: Johnny Araya has left city of San José on the brink of financial crisis

Yolanda Acuna (PAC)

July 3^rd, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) Yolanda Acuna of the Citizen Action Party (PAC) said yesterday that the city of San José is on the brink of financial crisis due to “mismanagement by the former mayor of San José, Johnny Araya.”

Acuna said that reports by external auditors show that the municipality has a budget of ¢56 billion, and that annual revenues are not covering annual expenses.

“Debt during Araya’s administration has grown enormously, increasing from ¢ 29.8 billion in 2011 to ¢ 42.7 billion in 2012,” Acuna said.

Acuna also said that the municipality’s deficit has been on the rise since 2010.

“In the first quarter of 2013 the city recorded a loss amounting to ¢ 2,545,000,000.  The reports reveal that Johnny Araya was unable to efficiently manage the municipality, and left it indebted,” Acuna said.

Acuna said the hope is for the public to be aware of the situation in which the next presidential candidate left the municipality.  Acuna said that while she does not plan to pursue charges against Araya, she would ask the Comptroller to take action on the matter, based on the audits.