Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Meya Herald Correspondent
Chitungwiza Municipality’s 2018 budget projection has been slightly increased owing to a rise in the number of residential and commercial properties, The Herald can reveal. The local authority’s budget proposal was pegged at $26,7 million, but is now $28,3 million. Council’s acting finance manager Mr Robert Nyikadzino said the increase on the proposed budget would have no effect on tariffs. “We have increased our 2018 budget projections to $28,3 million from this year’s proposal of $26,7 million due to a rise on the number of properties in the town,” said Mr Nyikadzino.
“It should be noted that the increase on the budget proposal is not going to affect residents in any way, but it was due to an increase in properties. In our 2017 budget, income estimates on rates or supplementary charges was at $15,5 million and for 2018 it will be $17,3 million.
“These estimates will include fees and penalties, sales, rent, among other things to bring a total of $28 314 778, while our expenditure is estimated at $36 626.” Mr Nyikadzino said they have put in place new projects like the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).
“These activities include carrying out municipal water status survey, replacement of 4 500 non-functional and malfunctioning domestic and commercial water meters at a cost of $370 000. On this part it is coming from the budget while the remaining portion will be covered by Zimfund Phase 2.
“We are also repairing at least 600 water meters internally at the cost of $1 200, procuring 4 500 pre-paid water meters, which is being funded by Zimfund Phase 2. We expect to procure 1 500 water meters valued at $22 000 to replace non-functional ones and 5 000 pre-paid water meters to be installed in Zengeza costing $73 000.”
However, Mr Nyikadzino admitted that this year’s budget was chaotic. “In terms of the 2017 budget performance, it was not satisfactory where we were around 27 percent as collection efficiency.”
Online Reporter