EXPECT HEFTY TARIFF INCREASES: Metro shares a glimpse into its budget plans
The tabling of the Ekurhuleni Metro's Budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) is just around the corner.
According to Temba Gadebe, metro spokesperson, a proposed capital budget of R5.4-billion will fund the service delivery needs of the community, such as the construction and upgrading of roads, infrastructure, clinics, libraries, network enhancement and the electrification of houses and more.
“Meanwhile, a proposed operational budget of R35-billion will be used to fund the day to day activities of the metro, such as bulk purchases of electricity and water, repairs and maintenance of infrastructure, grass cutting, maintenance of parks and recreational facilities, as well as policing,” said Gadebe.
He explained that the metro has made provision in both its Capital and Operating Budgets to fund the essential services through the 2016/17 – 2018/2019 financial years’ Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTREF).
Regarding the proposed budget, Gadebe said the metro aims to source the budget funds from revenue generated internally, through the payment of rates and taxes, government grants and loans, as well as through sundry tariff increases.
“The anticipated tariff increases on essential services stand at 9.5 per cent for sanitation, 9 per cent for water (subject to Rand Water’s tariff increase) and an average of 10 per cent increase on energy, which must be aligned with the National Energy Regulator’s approved tariff increase,” he added.
“The property assessment rate is expected to rise by 7.5 per cent, with refuse removal estimated at an 8 per cent increase.
“Suggested sundry tariff increases include an average 5 per cent increase on building plans, 10 per cent increase for hiring park facilities and a proposed increase of 6.5 per cent on cemetery and crematoria services; as well as an average increase of 10.66 per cent for the municipal bus services.”
Members of the community who are passionate about sports and recreation can breathe a sigh of relief as no increase will be effected on library and information services, hiring of library auditoriums, stadiums and arts, culture and heritage facilities.
“The social package for indigents will remain unchanged, with all of the registered indigents receiving 100 per cent rebates on assessment rates, special rates on emergency services, free refuse removal services, free 100kWh supply of electricity and the free 9 kilolitres of water and sanitation services,” said Gadebe.
He said the metro remains committed to improving the lives of its citizenry.
“An amount of R457-million is to be set aside in the 2016/17 financial year for community empowerment programmes, such as the fire brigades, a clean city programme, the Community Emergency Response Team, Peace Corps, tree planters, rodent control, Primary Health (EPWP Programme), the Shanyela Project and the Lungile Mtshali and Learnership/Internships programmes.”
Recently, Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), led by MMC for Finance Clr Moses Makwakwa, spread across Ekurhuleni to facilitate the process of public participation through the first round of IDP meetings.
Gadebe said it is crucial that community members have a say on the proposed draft documents.
Delivering his presentation of the Draft IDP at the Kwa-Thema Old Age Home, Makwakwa emphasised the importance of paying for municipal services and the adverse effects of not doing so.
“It is amazing how one perceives R1-billion as a lot of money on paper, however, as soon as it is allocated to where it is needed and spent, only then do you realise that a lot more is still needed to meet the needs of our people,” said Makwakwa.
The final tabling of the budget before the Ekurhuleni Council is scheduled to take place on April 28, at the Alberton Council Chambers, a week after the mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, presents his State of the City Address on April 20.
