The Ministry of Local Government has finally approved the $14 million 2012 budget for the Municipality of Chinhoyi.
The council adopted a stand-still budget similar to that of the previous year.
The municipalitys finance committee chairperson Councillor Divies Zinduru, confirmed the development on Friday, adding council had already started implementing the budget.
The parent ministry last week approved the $14 million budget we submitted for 2012 and we have already begun the implementation, he said.
Zinduru said the local authority had purchased and was awaiting delivery of two NP300 utility trucks worth $22 000 each for the works department. The council would also install solar-powered traffic lights at two intersections in the central business district, among other projects.
The budget would also cater for the workers 2009 salary arrears which council had pledged to pay this year.
The council revised downwards the trading licence fees by 15% following an outcry by residents.
However, Zinduru said, council needed to recover $9 million owed by residents for the budget to be fully implemented. He urged residents to pay their dues to council in order to ensure efficient service delivery.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Zinduru said council had tasked management to start income-generating projects to cushion the already overburdened ratepayers.
Chinhoyi municipality requires $1,8 million to pay its major creditors such as the national power utility and the National Social Security Authority, he said.
In our endeavour to recover money owed by residents. We will continue to engage defaulters so that we can also meet our debt obligations to our major creditors, said Zinduru.
Council, which is grappling with erratic cash inflows, has resolved to extend to June, the grace period within which residents have an opportunity to pay 50% of their outstanding rates and have their bills written off.
The resolution was made at a recent full council meeting after acting finance director Zephaniah Chirarwes recommendation to extend the facility, which was introduced last year, by a further six months.
The incentive reportedly induced payments of $21 753, 80 for the month of December 2011 alone.
