Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Beitbridge Rural District Council has adopted a US$5,2 million budget or equivalent in local currency for 2023 that will see a huge chunk of the funds being spent on infrastructure development.
Finance and tender committee chairperson, Councillor Flora Muleya, said they had come up with a program-based budget to ensure they offer efficient service delivery to the community.
This approach helps local authorities channel more funds towards service delivery when compared with general expenses.
Cllr Muleya said they decided to use the United States dollar terms but at the prevailing official bank rate so as to cushion the ratepayers and council from inflation pressures.
She said they were expecting a total income of US$5,271, 135.16 with most of the revenue coming from tariffs and external funding.
“We are expecting a total expenditure of US$5,263,304.18 and a surplus of US$7,830.98. It is our expectation that 44 percent of the revenue will come from tariffs and 56 percent will be financed through external funding,” she said.
“The following are our major revenue lines to finance the 2023 budget from our own tariff income, unit tax farms, Campfire fees, cattle and goats sales levy, business and leases, royalties, stands service and penalties.
“From other sources, we are expecting funding from devolution, traditional beer levy, Zimbabwe National Roads Administration, bank loans, and public sector investment program”.
Cllr Muleya said they had allocated more funds towards healthcare support, roads, education, and social amenities infrastructure.
She said they had also come up with a host of measures that will ensure an improved revenue collection rate to deliver on the budget expenditure.
In the 2023 budget, the council is looking at getting US$2, 9 million on governance and administration, US$679 000 on water sanitation and hygiene, US$873 000 on social services, US$510 000 on roads, US$77 000 on public safety and security plus US$139 000 on natural resources conservation and management.
“As a local authority we have planned to spend US$3, 1 million on governance and administration, US$530 000 on water sanitation and hygiene, US$1, 1 million on social services, US$270 000 on roads, US$77, 237 on public safety and security, and US$42 000 on natural resources and conservation management,” said Cllr Muleya.
“In coming up with this budget we also consulted traditional leaders, the business community, and members of the public, among others so that we move along with a shared vision.
“We can only succeed in meeting our obligations if everyone plays ball.”
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