MMC for finance Clr Moses Makwakwa delivered the 2015/2016 budget speech in the Germiston council chambers, on Thursday.
The bottom line for residents is how much more they will be paying on their monthly municipal accounts.
Makwakwa claimed that Ekurhuleni remains the most affordable metro in the country in which to live and that the average household bill has increased by only R209 since 2011.
He also explained that socio-economic conditions in the metro, including the low levels of disposable income and affordability, were considered when tabling the budget.
“We also took into consideration the cost of providing services.
“In ensuring that we continue to provide sustainable services, we propose the following tariff increases,” Makwakwa said.
The bottom line for residents is how much more they will be paying on their monthly municipal accounts.
Residents can also expect increases in the following:
- 7.5 per cent increase in assessment rates;
- An average of 12. 2 per cent for electricity, as per Eskom and in line with National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA);
- 14.5 per cent for water, which is the increase by Rand Water;
- 9.5 per cent for sanitation;
- 8 per cent for refuse removal.
There will be no tariff increases for cemeteries, libraries and recreational halls, or the hiring and use of sports and recreational facilities.
During the debate which followed Makwakwa’s speech, the DA raised concerns that the increases in tariffs were above inflation rates and stated that it has become cheaper to die in the metro than to live here.
The DA was the only party to oppose the budget.
