MASVINGO — The MDC-T-dominated Masvingo City Council (MCC) is not seeking changes to the 2015 budget of $19 million which it hopes to maintain for next year.
By Tatenda Chitagu
Speaking at a budget review meeting that doubled as next year’s budget consultation process at Runyararo Primary School in Mucheke high-density suburb yesterday, Masvingo mayor Hubert Fidze said council will stick to the current budget.
“Nothing is going to change. We are having no increases or decreases,” he said.
Fidze said this was necessitated by the harsh economic environment, which had seen residents struggling to pay rates.
“We cannot increase the budget under the current harsh economic environment, where residents are failing to pay up,” he said.
Fidze urged residents to come up with payment plans to avoid having water supplies disconnected.
However, the Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers’ Association (MURRA) said council should have trimmed the budget.
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“While they did not effect any increases, we feel that the budget should have been revised downwards in light of the prevailing economic environment,” MURRA spokesperson Godfrey Mtimba said.
“Last year’s budget was railroaded as there was little consultation by the city fathers.”
Last year’s budget was approved midyear after then Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo ordered council to rationalise funds for salaries and service delivery. The government directed that 30% of total income should go to salaries, while 70 % should be dedicated towards service delivery.
MCC has a $569 000 monthly wage bill, forcing it to stagger the payment of salaries.
