The Kouga Municipality released a statement on September 1,
\ninforming residents that the current 2022\/23 financial year, that came into
\neffect on July 1, has come with several challenges from a municipal point of
\nview. <\/p>\n
According to Kouga Municipal Manager Charl du Plessis, COVID-19
\nand the prolonged drought have placed enormous financial strain on Kouga
\nMunicipality\u2019s finances, which in turn, has a direct impact on basic service
\ndelivery.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a municipality, we had to make very difficult decisions
\nin terms of property rate increases, while trying our utmost to find a balance
\nbetween making ends meet when it comes to service delivery without suffocating
\nour ratepayers,\u201d said du Plessis.<\/p>\n
He further said the biggest rate increases were that of
\nvacant plots and business properties. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the pressure that our local business
\ncommunity are facing post-COVID-19, and we are committed to do whatever we can
\nto support them,\u201d said du Plessis.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe municipality is working on programmes to increase the
\nlocal tourism industry, speed up town planning processes to accelerate
\ndevelopment, and to ensure basic services delivered are of outstanding quality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Du Plessis said the Kouga Municipality is committed to keeping
\ntheir rate increases to a minimum in the upcoming financial year \u2013 specifically
\nwith local businesses in mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank all residents for their commitment to our cause in
\nensuring we deliver the best possible services with the resources we have,\u201d said
\ndu Plessis.<\/p>\n
He further said they were committed to not wasting money
\nunnecessarily, but to focus on the services all residents deserve. <\/p>\n
Du Plessis said Kouga Executive Mayor, Horatio Hendricks,
\nwill embark on a series of Mayoral Imbizo\u2019s in October this year to inform the
\npublic of the plans Kouga has for the next four years to ensure it continues to
\nbe one of the top municipalities in the country. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited to share our plans for our road
\ninfrastructure, sewer upgrades, water security and electricity independence
\nwith residents,\u201d said du Plessis.<\/p>\n
The Kouga Municipality released a statement on September 1, informing residents that the current 2022\/23 financial year, that came into effect on July 1, has come with several challenges from a municipal point of 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