MUTARE City has increased its budget projections from the current $16,2 million to $18,7 million for next year in a bid to improve service delivery. Report by Staff Reporter

The proposed budget was approved at a special council meeting on Wednesday.

In his presentation, chairman of the finance committee Tatenda Nhemarare said: “The Zimbabwean government’s results-based budgeting framework dictates that there should be public consultations in the budgeting process and council conducted the consultative processes in the context of participatory democracy.”

“We will take the budget to the Ministry of Local Government for approval, but I think it will sail through. We are not increasing tariffs, but because of the positive response from our debtors, we managed to surpass our 2012 intended income by $1,67 million. We hope our debtors will keep on complying.”

The 2013 Mutare budget proposes to enhance capacity on capital projects where service delivery will be a priority.

Highlights of the 2013 budget are employment costs accounting for 38%, which is $6 858 248 administrative costs at 13% ($2 273 256), while repairs and maintenance will gobble the largest chunk of 28% ($5 143 748).

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