Alderman Boffie Strydom, Executive Mayor of the West Coast, tabled the budget of the district municipality for the next three financial years as well as the Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF).
Strydom referred to local government and municipalities across South Africa struggling to remain financially sustainable during these tough economic times, and stated that only 12 municipalities in the Western Cape, of which the West Coast District Municipality is one, are categorised as being financially stable.
“Given all these challenges and taking into account the various unfunded mandates, and that municipalities in the Western Cape are operating without an own revenue source, I am indeed privileged to present a well-balanced and -funded budget to you today.”
The municipality’s revised Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the tabled budget gives effect to the municipalities Strategic Objectives.
These are:
- . to care for the social well-being, safety, health and environmental integrity of all our communities;.
- to promote regional economic growth and tourism;.
- to coordinate and promote the development of bulk and essential services and transport infrastructure;.
- to foster sound relationships with all stakeholders, especially local municipalities; and. to maintain financial viability and good governance.
The municipality’s proposed Capital Budget for the tabled 2024-’25 MTREF is R10 500 000. Increases in tariffs for Fire Fighting and Internal Audit functions were recommended, while Environmental Health Services remains a service the municipality will render to communities across the West Coast.
The Executive Mayor thanked all councillors for their commitment and hard work.
“Irrespective of our political affiliation or differences we remained committed to the collective cause of WCDM. Be assured that as the Executive Mayor I will do all in my power to keep the collective strong.”
He also expressed his appreciation to the administration under leadership of the Municipal Manager, David Joubert, for ensuring the tabling of a funded, credible- and well-balanced budget.
Meanwhile Saldanha Bay Municipality’s MTREF budget for 2024-’25 was approved by council on 23 May.
Weslander, in April, reported on the concept budget that was tabled.
The approved total overall expenditure budget – capital and operational – for 2024-’25 was calculated at around R2,15 billion, of which the capital budget is R326,853 million and the operational budget for salaries, compensation of board members, debt reduction, bad debts, bulk power purchases and contract services reaches close to R1,826 billion.
- Tariff increases are:
- Property rates = 6%
- Electricity = 10,7%
- Water: basic ; 0%
- Water: consumption = 5%
- Refuse = 5%
- Sewage = 6%
The complete budget can be viewed at www.sbm.gov.za/budget/
