Chitungwiza unveils unchanged budget

Of the US$133,4 million budget, a total of US$99,8 million was reserved for capital developments with the Nyatsime project topping the list.
Nearly US$33,8 million will go to salaries, recurrent expenditure, repairs and maintenance, load repayments and other costs.

The rent card has remained at US$10.
The rent card comprises such charges as refuse collection, fixed fire services, and supplementary and administration charges.
Other monthly charges like water are not part of the rent card as these are dependent on consumption.

However, it remains to be seen what measures the municipality will enforce to ensure payment as many residents went through last year ignoring council bills.
Finance committee chairperson councillor Adam Puzo said Chitungwiza had become a “dark city” and proposed introduction of a US$1 levy on all residential properties to fund rehabilitation of street and tower lights.

Businesses will pay US$2,50.
Clr Puzo said the municipality, which buys its water from Harare, will pass on the cost to its residents.
Maternity and ambulance fees are US$25 and US$10 respectively in response to residents’ wishes.

The municipality’s salary bill has been reduced from last year’s US$15,6 million to US$12,8 million, which is based on the assumption that council will not recruit new staff.
Remuneration costs will gobble 38 percent of total revenue collection projections.
Government has directed that councils spend not more than 30 percent of revenue on salaries and allowances so that at least 70 percent can be directed to service delivery.

Clr Puzo proposed that council retain its monopoly in the sale of opaque beer so as to boost its coffers.
“Our sales were affected by competition from private operators.
“It is our view that a monopoly to council should be created especially on cheap bulk beer sales,” he said.
In early January, Government warned local authorities against delays in submitting annual budget proposals.
Delays imply that the councils institute new charges late and thus miss out on potential revenue. –The Herald