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“The property tax is going to increase rentals thereby worsening the plight of those without houses. These people will as a result not be able to save to buy their own houses,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said the local authority should do away with the tendency of breeding lodgers in the city.
“The city fathers should avoid leaving a legacy of tenants in the city,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said the budget did not address the effects of de-industrilisation of Bulawayo, but “continues to charge heavily the informal traders. The fees for licensing informal traders are prohibitive.”
Mr Sibanda said the budget should address economic recovery by promoting and formalising the informal sector.
He also challenged city council to be innovative and come up with strategies of raising revenue.
He also complained that BCC only consulted residents for budget formulation yet there was no mechanism for the residents to review the budget.
“The residents recommend that the city council should come up with a mechanism that will allow its residents to review the budget either quarterly, half yearly or annually,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said the copies of the budget were not easily accessible to residents and called on the City Fathers to consider making the copies available at housing offices.
In response, city council financial director Mr Kimpton Ndimande said council will consider the issues raised by residents.
Online Reporter