adminInnocent Ruwende Municipal Reporter
Harare City Council will not increase charges for main line services such as water, property tax, health services and refuse fees next year, according to a $343 million budget for 2016 unveiled by the city yesterday. The bulk of the money is expected to be raised from increased water sales proposed to rake in $139,6 million and property tax for domestic, industrial and commercial at $118,1 million, while refuse collection will chip in with $26,8 million.
Finance and revenue collection is expected to contribute $4,3 million, the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration and billboards $4 million, administration and city architect $7,6 million, clamping and towing $5,6 million, health fees $7,4 million, rentals, leases and markets $15,1 million. Estates are expected to contribute $8,6 million, public safety $4,6 million, while other sources will contribute under $1 million.
Salaries and allowances will pick up 29,8 percent ($114, 3 million), while service delivery expenditure will account for the remaining 70,1 percent. Presenting the budget at a full council meeting, Finance Committee chairperson Councillor Tranos Moyo said the payroll costs will be keenly monitored on a monthly basis, with cuts being effected as and when necessary.
“Your Worship, your council is once more proposing a largely standstill budget on the back of the economic environment,” he said. “While a largely standstill budget is proposed in the outlook period, additional revenues are envisaged from increased water sales as the refurbishment of the water treatment plants and stabilisation of downstream arrangements gather momentum.
“The introduction of smart water meters in the first quarter of the ensuing year is expected to contribute to yoking the current debtor escalation trend in the books of the city, at the same time improve the cash flow position”
The city also hopes to rake money by tracking properties which are not on the city’s valuation roll using Geographical Information System and from the city’s joint ventures under the Harare Sunshine Holdings, which include the parking business, farms and nursery.
The budget approved by the full council saw the city setting aside $2,7 million to replace the refuse collection fleet, $20 million for the purchase of road maintenance equipment and $24 million for water distribution network, including smart meters.
Online Reporter