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The aim of the meetings is to establish implementation challenges for 2012, confirm priority areas for 2013 and come up with options for financing the budget and get stakeholders’ commitment.
This year the consultations have been held early to enable the council to present its draft budget for approval by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, on time.
Tariffs for high-density suburbs need to be approved by the Ministry before implementation.
The meetings set the basis for the level of rates and tariffs.
There have been clashes in the past when a majority of residents did not attend and later complained about high rates that were agreed on by the few who attended.
In a schedule, Bulawayo’s Town Clerk Mr Middleton Nyoni said the first meetings would be held over a five-day period, in all the city’s 29 wards.
He said the meetings would be facilitated by councillors and council officials.
Mr Nyoni urged residents to approach their councillors or housing offices on the dates and times of the meetings in their wards.
Yesterday the council started the consultations with a meeting in Makokoba where residents called on the local authority to improved water supplies to the city’s oldest suburb.
“We would really appreciate if council channelled education funds towards water service delivery because we do not have a council-run school in Makokoba,” said Mr Arvian Mathe, a resident.
He said as Makokoba residents, they were more concerned with water service delivery so as to avoid outbreak of diseases since the suburb was crowded.
In response, in a speech read on his behalf by the local councillor, Clr James Sithole, Bulawayo Mayor Clr Thaba Moyo said they were committed to improving service delivery in the city.
“I appeal to each one of us to work as a team and strive for the achievement of our goals and objectives.
“As council, we are committed to improving service delivery so you have to play your part by paying bills on time,” he said.
Last year, a majority of business organisations and residents in the eastern suburbs and the city centre did not attend the meetings.
There was an outcry in February this year when council started implementing new rates that were based on the new valuation roll that was approved without objections from the affected people.
The local authority was forced to call another series of meetings and adjust rates.
Other stakeholders who are expected to attend the meetings include transport operators, business organisations, civil society organisations, political parties, residents’ associations and informal traders.
Online Reporter