adminBlessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
Government has approved the 2018 budget proposals for Kadoma and Chinhoyi municipalities.
Kadoma and Chinhoyi had proposed budgets of $40 million and $20,3 million, respectively.
In an interview, Kadoma Town Clerk Mr Malvern Dondo said the city’s budget was already operational.
“Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo approved our budget on February 6 this year, in terms of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) Section 228/229 ,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chinhoyi Municipality spokesperson Mr Tichaona Mlauzi confirmed the latest development.
“Chinhoyi Municipality’s 2018 Budget of $20,3 million has been approved.
“This is a standstill budget we obtained from our stakeholders during budget consultative meetings. We, therefore, urge our stakeholders to play their part by paying their monthly bills,” he said
Mr Mlauzi said the municipality’s projected revenue collection was $700 000 per month.
“We are, however, collecting about $340 000 and for us to meet the target we set in the budget, a holistic approach is needed,” he said.
He said the financial plan was subject to review of the council’s wage bill.
“The ministry said the budget had been approved subject to the reduction of the wage bill to 30 percent of the budget and committing the bulk to service delivery,” he said.
Chinhoyi has about 372 workers costing about $380 000 in salaries every month, against a revenue collection of $340 000.
Mr Mlauzi said that management and workers were engaged in the process of finding a lasting solution.
“The works council is engaged in the process of how it can mitigate the wage bill in conformity with the 70:30 percent ratio.
“A lasting solution that is acceptable to both parties has to be found,” he said.
Over the years, local authorities have been chewing a great chunk of the budget in salaries at the expense of service delivery.
Online Reporter