Hoctún Municipality
Hoctún Municipality (, in the Yucatec Maya Language: “where the stone is quarried or ripped”) is one of the 106 municipalities in the Mexican state of Yucatán containing (123.91 km2) of land and located roughly 45 km east of the city of Mérida. History There are no records indicating the history of pre-Hispanic times for this area. After the conquest the area became part of the encomienda system. Doña Angela de la Fleguera Castillo was the encomendera in 1722 and was in charge of 269 native inhabitants. Yucatán declared its independence from the Spanish Crown in 1821 and in 1825, the area was assigned to the Beneficios Bajos region with its headquarters in Sotuta. In 1889, Hoctún acquired the category of Villa. Governance The municipal president is elected for a three-year term. The town council has seven aldermen, who serve as Secretary of the Town Hall; and councilors of markets, public lighting, potable water, parks and gardens, ecology and cemeteries. The Municipal Council administers the business of the municipality. It is responsible for budgeting and expenditures and producing all required reports for all branches of the municipal administration. Annually it determines educational standards for schools. The Police Commissioners ensure public