City adopts R35.2-billion draft budget

COUNCIL adopted the R35.2-billion draft budget for the 2014/15 financial year at a meeting of council in KwaMashu last week. The draft budget consisits of an Operation budget of R29.6-billion and a Capital budget of R5.6 billion.

The draft budget proposes a 6.9 per cent rates increase, a 7.39 per cent electricity tariff increase, and a 9.9 per cent residential water tariff increase with businesses having to fork out to meet a proposed 12.9 per cent water tariff increase.

Refuse removal and Sanitation tariffs are to be increased by 7.9 per cent each.

Mayor James Nxumalo urged residents to participate in the public hearings to be held next month saying their contribution was vital. “It is because of these consultations that we discover what the community needs. We are electrifying and building ablution facilities in informal settlements and rural areas because we have listened to comments from our communities,” he said.

The 2014/15 budget is focused on implementation of a number of flagship projects, job creation and the maintenance of existing infrastructure. “We have set aside a sizeable portion of the budget for infrastructure maintenance because it is important that we do not allow our infrastructure to deteriorate as this would be more costly for the city in future,” said Sithole.

Some of the focus areas include the regeneration of the Durban inner city with plans in place to turn the CBD into a cultural village. “We are building state of the art facilities like the museum in Cato Manor and the Central Library. The major beneficiaries are young people who will have access to information, and job searching. It will be a significant improvement.”

Nxumalo said the consultation process on the budget will be rolled out in different regions of the Municipality and councillors would also be encouraged to call ward meetings to discuss the budget.

The final budget is expected to be approved by Council on 29 May.