EMM consumers to face a 10% tariff increase
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) remains positive that it is the most affordable metro in which to live. This according to Clr Moses Makwakwa, MMC for finance, upon delivering the 2015/2016 proposed budget speech in the council chambers at Germiston on May 28.
NIGEL – In his speech, Makwakwa presented the Ekurhuleni Integrated Development Plan, as well as the Medium Term Revenue Expenditure Framework (MTREF) and explained the investments in each department. He continued to compare the budgeted revenue for the 2015/2016 financial year which totals R29.5-b, to last year’s R26.6-b, saying it only represents an increase of 10.9%.
A summary of tariff increases are as follows: Assessment rates: 7.5%; electricity: 12.2%; water: 14.5%; sanitation: 9.5%; refuse removal: 8%. Tariffs that have not increased are cemeteries, libraries and recreational halls and hiring and use of sports and recreational facilities.
Makwakwa said the MTREF is based on the Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) which is anchored on five pillars, namely: re-urbanise – to achieve sustainable urban integration; re-industrialise – to achieve job creation; re-generate – to achieve environmental well-being; re-mobilise – to achieve social empowerment and re-govern – to achieve effective cooperative governance.
He also stated that the metro will continue to embrace the principle of ‘The people shall govern’ by ensuring that they consult with Ekurhuleni residents on issues affecting their daily lives.
EMM will provide the following package as a relief to impoverished households at the cost of R2.5-billion: 100% discount on assessment rates; free sanitation of nine kilolitres; free water of nine kiloletres; free refuse removal and 100 kilowatts of free electricity.
All EMM residents will see the first R150 000 on property value exempted from assessment rates; free six kilolitres of water and sanitation; 100 kilowatts of electricity to low end users; pensioner’s discount on property assessments and churches and NGOs will also be exempted from assessment rates.
The listed allocating funds will go to Transport: R825-million; Roads and Storm water: (R1.2-billion); Energy: (R1.4-billion); Water and Sanitation: (R1.1-billion); Human Settlements: (R579-million); Community Safety: (R128-million); Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture: (R193-million); Health and Social Development: (R104-million); Economic Development: (R149-million); Information and Communication Technology: (R322-million).
