The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s (EMM) MMC for Finance, Clr Moses Makwakwa, delivered the 2015/2016 budget speech at the Germiston council chambers recently.
The bottom line for residents is how much more they will be paying on their monthly municipal accounts.
Clr Makwakwa claimed that Ekurhuleni remains the most affordable metro in the country in which to live and that the average household bill has increased by only R209 since 2011.
He also explained that socio-economic conditions in the metro, including the low levels of disposable income and affordability, were considered when tabling the budget.
“We also took into consideration the cost of providing services.
“In ensuring that we continue to provide sustainable services, we propose the following tariff increases,” said Clr Makwakwa.
The bottom line for residents is how much more they will be paying on their monthly municipal accounts.
Residents can also expect increases in the following:
- 7.5 percent increase in assessment rates.
- An average of 12. 2 percent for electricity, as per Eskom and in line with the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
- 14.5 percent for water, which is the increase by Rand Water.
- 9.5 percent for sanitation.
- 8 percent for refuse removal.
There will be no tariff increases for cemeteries, libraries and recreational halls, or the hiring and use of sports and recreational facilities.
During the debate which followed Clr Makwakwa’s speech, the DA raised concerns that the increases in tariffs were above inflation rates and stated that it has become cheaper to die in the metro than to live here.
The DA was the only party to oppose the budget.
