GEORGE NEWS - The George Municipality is investigating the possibility of acquiring either the former Absa building in York Street (next to the former SARS) or the Doneraile House building in Doneraile Street.
This is part of its efforts to meet a dire need for offices in the CBD for its fast-growing personnel complement.
According to municipal communications chief Chantel Edwards-Klose, 979 people worked for the municipality in June 2009. By June 2014, only five more employees had joined their ranks, but over the past four years, there was a huge increase with 242 new people appointed, bringing the total number of employees to 1 226 by June 2018.
Extra floor space is already being rented in the Absa building where some officials from civil engineering services and the municipal records department have offices.
In May this year, Council made an offer of R5,5-million for the building, but it was declined by the owner, Liquor City 8 (Pty) Ltd, that wanted R9,2-million (excluding VAT). Should the municipality buy the building, it would require further spending on changes and upgrading to suit its purposes.
A report tabled in a recent ordinary council meeting said that, should it be decided to buy the building, Council has to keep in mind that only R10-million was provided in the 2018/19 medium term revenue and expenditure framework (MTREF) for the acquisition and improvement of municipal buildings.
The other option, the Doneraile House building, is for sale for R8-million (excluding VAT). It includes a new open-plan office with boardroom and closed manager's offices "that will be done according to client specifications at the cost of the seller", according to the report.
In the meantime, the municipality has reached an agreement with South Cape College to exchange a portion of municipal land located at the R102/York Street intersection for the property of the college on the corner of Hibernia and Cradock streets. The exchange will, however, only take place once the college has completed the development of its new campus on the vacant land and has vacated its current premises.
Council has now requested that the different options for office space expansion be investigated and a report compiled.
Further growth expected
The administration of the municipality is currently run from a total of nine buildings. Further space is occupied in non-administration buildings such as libraries, area offices, community centres, and water and sewage processing facilities.
Edwards-Klose said over the next four years, the personnel complement will grow further by an estimated 112 people, subject to provision from the budget.
Regarding shortages in two crucial departments - electrotechnical and civil engineering - she said the municipality is currently in the process of recruitment and selection to fill vacant positions.
Reasons for a shortage of personnel in certain departments include budget constraints and/or a shortage in supply of suitable applicants. "Council budgets for vacancies on an annual basis, taking into consideration critical positions, financial capacity and long-term financial planning. These vacancies are then filled in line with our recruitment and selection policy."
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