Last week, Drakenstein Municipality tabled its draft budget for the 2022-’23 financial year, and residents now have the opportunity to give their comment regarding proposed tariff hikes.
What surely can be seen as a welcome relief in tough economic times is the proposed 7,71% electricity tariff increase as opposed to last years 14,59% increase.
It is also proposed that the property rate tariff not be increase this financial year. It is, however, proposed that the water tariff will increase by 6,9% (6% in 2021), refuse removal by 7,5% and sewerage and sanitation by 6,9% (6% in 2021).
If council approves the proposed budget and rates increase at the end of May, these tariffs will come into effect from 1 July.
For electricity users this will mean a fixed cost increase (excluding VAT) of R231,60 for Domestic 1 Phase 30 amp consumers and R2,1019 per unit and R591 for Domestic 1 Phase 60 amp consumers and R2,1019.
Domestic Life line 20 amp (less than or equal to 400 kWh per kWh) do not pay a fixed charge, but will pay R1,6102 per unit and Domestic Life line 20 amp (more than 400 kWh per kWh) who also do not pay a fixed charge will pay R2,310 per electricity unit.
The municipality’s draft operating revenue budget was tabled at R2 914 553 932 and the draft operating expenditure budget at R2 891 337 504.
The capital budget expenditure of R113 199 130 will be financed from the capital replacement reserve and grants for the 2022-’23 financial year.
The only draft multi-year capital project in excess of R50 000 000 is the Electrification Housing Project of R68 312 174, which will be completed over a five-year period from 2021-’22 to 2025-’26. However no money is allocated for this project for the 2022-’23 financial year.
Some of the other draft capital projects on the cards for this financial year includes: the upgrade of swimming pools and equipment (R2 300 000), the electrification of informal areas and backyard dwellers at R1 000 000 and the development of the De Kraal Sport Complex at R2 000 000, upgrading of Faure Street Stadium (R1 000 000), Fairyland Sport Facility (R600 000) and Gouda Sports Field (R350 000). The upgrading of the Pentz Street pump station (R1 609 982), Dalweiding substation and switchgear upgrades (R8 695 652), Palmiet substation transformer 3 (R6 000 000), refurbishing of the storm water systems (R5 000 000), Drakenstein street light projects (R450 000), Drommedaris Road rebuild (R5 000 000) and a R3 000 000 draft capital budget for vandalism and theft of infrastructure.
The draft capital budget does not make provision for the upgrading of rental stock in Paarl East and Wellington for this financial year, but the maintenance part thereof is budgeted for in the operating budget.
The proposed budget for salaries per year are as follows: R1 177 508 (Executive Mayor), Speaker (R942 005), Deputy Executive Mayor (R942 005), Chief Whip (R883 130), Mayoral Committee Member (R883 130), Ordinary Council Member (R382 200). The above excludes cellular telephone allowances as well as fixed mobile data bundles.
With regard to senior managers the total proposed cost to the municipality packages budgeted for senior management are R1 987 402 (City Manager), Chief Financial Officer (R1 596 747), Executive Director: Corporate Services (R1 596 747), Executive Director: Engineering Services (R1 596 747), Executive Director: Planning and Development (R1 596 747) and Executive Director: Community Services R1 596 747).
. To view the full draft budget and proposed capital projects visit http://www.drakenstein.gov.za/statutory-disclosures/financial-services/budget.
Residents can also attend the municipality’s open days from 6 April until 26 April.
The public will be able to speak directly to municipal officials about the draft 2027 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), draft budget and draft Spatial Development Framework (SDF) as well as general service delivery issues in their community.
If a member of the public cannot make their way to an open day, they can also give their input into the draft IDP and draft budget by emailing their comments to idp@drakenstein.gov.za. Comments on the draft SDF can be emailed to customercare@drakenstein.gov.za.
Written comments on all three documents can be posted to the Office of the City Manager, Drakenstein Municipality, PO Box 1, Paarl, 7620. The closing date for all public comments and input is 29 April. Hard copies of the documents are available at certain municipal buildings and libraries.
For more information on the draft IDP and draft budget, contact 021 807 6219. For more information on the draft SDF or to obtain an electronic copy, contact Alexander Rehder at 021 807 4813 or Alexander.Rehder@drakenstein.gov.za.
. See page 16 for details about the open days for each Ward. More information can also be found on the municipality’s Facebook page.
