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GEORGE NEWS - Back in office after a month's leave, George Mayor Melvin Naik tabled the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2018/2019 and the multi-year draft budget for the next two financial years at a special council meeting on Tuesday.
Naik looked refreshed and ready for the task at hand. The following tariff increases were proposed in the tabled budget: Water 8%; Electricity 6,84%; Sewerage 8,5%; General tariffs 6% and Refuse 15%, to accommodate the establishment of the Eden Regional Landfill Site. The indigent subsidy has been increased from R593,81 in 2017/18 to R653,34 for the 2018/19 financial year.
National Treasury was full of praise for the budget during the recent presentation to the department, commenting that the George budget presentation falls within the top three of 97 secondary cities which were presented at the time. However, opposition councillors hold a different opinion.
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ANC councillor Langa Langa said, "It's a sad day today to sit here and say everything is hunky-dory." He referred to a so-called "lack of respect to black communities" and warned Council that the current IDP and budget "invites big trouble". Piet van der Hoven of the ANC said an average increase of more than 8% is unheard of. He asked why George residents are being punished.
PBI leader Virgill Gericke said the IDP doesn't address the needs of the people. "We are creating another apartheid state without proper integration." Regarding the budget he said the increases are a shame to the city. "It's just too much."
Head of the DA's constituency in George, Andricus van der Westhuizen (left), attended his first George council meeting on Tuesday, for the tabling of the 2018/2019 budget and Integrated Development Plan. With him are Flip de Swardt (secretary) and Marchell Kleynhans, chairperson of the DA's constituency in George.
Bazil Petrus of the SAC said the poverty of the people indicates they don't benefit from George's economy. Freedom Front Plus councillor Gert van Niekerk said the economy could show much more growth and Wilbur Harris of Icosa said the needs of the poor are not really taken seriously. EFF councillor Laetitia Arries and AIC councillor Abel Kiwit mentioned the enormous issue of drug abuse and need for intervention in the communities.
Budget 2018/2019 in a nutshell
National grants for the George Integrated Public Transport Network (GIPTN) were allocated as follows: R121-million for operations, R46-million for infrastructure, with a provincial operating grant of R101-million.
The budget committee has prioritised the upgrading of the sewage treatment works and has committed to the taking up of loans to fund this project with a total cost of R81,5-million over the next two financial years. The capital budget will be spread across the directorates as follows: Civil Engineering Services 65%; Electrotechnical Services 13%; Community Services 9%; Protection Services 7% and all other directorates 6%.
The operating expenditure has increased from R1,798-billion in 2017/18 (February 2018 adjustments budget) to R1,956-billion in 2018/19.
The new General Valuation Roll will come into effect on 1 July and will be valid until 30 June 2022. With the calculation of the new cent in rand tariff for rates, the 15% residential rebate was discontinued.
Read the full account of the new tabled budget below:
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