GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Residents of the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality will have to dig deep into their pockets, following new tariff increases by the municipality.
Analyzing the budget, increases of up to 100 per cent in certain areas of service delivery are indicated.
However, according to acting municipal communication officer Wilca Smith, residents must understand that they are charged a new baseline cost "to ensure break-even between revenue and cost."
The new approved annual budget was announced to the public on 11 June and will take effect on 1 July.
The budget stated a six per cent increase for water consumption, with an alternative drought tariff of R22,77 (16-25kl) and R26,89 (more than 25kl).
The new budget indicated that the rate for water consumption in Rietbron will increase from about R4/kl to over R9/kl.
According to Councillor Ewald Loock, head of finance of the council, the drought tariff is a headache.
"I do not understand how the drought tariff will be monitored. Who will be responsible to declare the drought and in which town?
When will the tariff stop when the drought is over?" he asked while discussing the new budget with the Advertiser.
According to Smith, the introduction of the drought tariff is to ensure water to areas that do not have water during droughts. "It is also a mechanism of ensuring that wastage of water is kept at a minimum.
The district municipality is responsible for disasters and the declaration of drought areas within its jurisdiction."
Loock is also concerned with the property rate increase. On paper, it shows a six per cent increase, but Loock explained that towns like Steytlerville and Willowmore will pay approximately 80 per cent more.
"A business like BKB in Willowmore paid about R13 000. They will, in the new financial year, pay R23 000."
On Loock's study, Smith said, "the increases in the property rates are as a result of the implementation of the new valuation roll, and in terms of the property rates act, property owners had the right to object where they felt that the increases were unfair. In some instances, the values were up to eight years old hence, the excessive increases."
Additionally, sewerage and garbage removal went up by six per cent.
According to Look's calculations, the municipality is spending approximately 46 per cent of its budget on salaries, whereas he believes the norm is 35 per cent. "If you count is the councillors salaries, it's 50 per cent." Smith, however, explained that the employee cost budget on operational expenditure budget is 40 per cent and not 46 per cent.
Residents can view the full budget on the Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality's Facebook page, or ask for it at public libraries.
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