During the 1850's every Maya village was autonomous. It was self sufficient. With the advent of education and transportation villages accommodated themselves to these changes. Several community services rose to satisfy the demands of expanding villages. Every village has an acalde or judge.
People can always seek help of the acalde to settle disputes or to give advice on village affairs.
People go to the acalde in times of grief and in times of joy. In order for the Belize government to efficiently serve the communities , each village has a village council charged with the responsibility of directing the growth of the community. Every village now has a primary school, a community center and an all weather road. A few villages have community phones. A water supply system is only found in San Pedro Columbia and San Antonio.