GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Dr Beyers Naudé municipality’s special council meeting to discuss the budget for the next financial year is scheduled to take place tomorrow, 31 May. 

DA Councilor, Ewald Loock says this meeting promises to be very interesting as there is a definite difference of opinion relating to the budget in council. 

According to him, it has come to light that the municipality has increased the rates for basic services by more than 40%. The tariff for sewerage services, for example, was increased by about R103 per month, while the basic tariff for water was increased from R11 to R13. 

These increases have not been discussed with residents during the public participation meetings. 

Loock says there are two suggestions on the table at present: 

1. The first suggestion is that the proposed increases must be adopted by the council and implemented with immediate effect.

2. The counter suggestion of the opposition (DA and FF+) is that the proposed increases must be phased in over the next three to five years as proposed by National Treasury. 

Indigent households are not affected by the proposed increases but, should these increases be adopted and implemented, households who do not qualify for IGG will have to pay about R180 to R200 more per month for these services for the next financial year. 

The Advertiser submitted a media enquiry to the Dr Beyers Naudé local municipality and is awaiting a response.

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