RESIDENTS will most probably face an average tariff increase of less than 10% for the next financial year.
The draft budget, which is currently open for viewing, will be tabled in council on April 28 for final approval.
The anticipated tariff increases on essential services stand at 9.5% for sanitation, 9% for water (subject to Rand Water’s tariff increase) and an average of 10% increase on energy, which must be aligned with the National Energy Regulator’s approved tariff increase.
Property assessment rates are expected to rise by 7.5% with refuse removal with an estimated at 8%. Suggested sundry tariff increases include an average of 5% on building plans, 10% for hiring park facilities and a proposed increase of 6.5% on cemetery and crematoria services, as well as an average increase of 10.66% for the municipal bus services.
A proposed capital budget of R5.4 billion will fund the service delivery needs of the community such as the construction and upgrading of roads, infrastructure, clinics, libraries, network enhancement and the electrification of houses and more.
Meanwhile, a proposed operational budget of R35 billion will be used to fund the day to day activities of the metro such as bulk purchases of electricity and water, repairs and maintenance of infrastructure, grass cutting, maintenance of parks and recreational facilities, as well as policing.
The metro aims to source the budget funds from revenue generated internally through the payment of rates and taxes, government grants and loans as well as through sundry tariff increases.
The social package for indigents will remain unchanged, with all of the registered indigents receiving 100% rebates on assessment rates, special rates on emergency services, free refuse removal services, free 100kWh supply of electricity and 9kl of free water and sanitation services.
An amount of R457 million is to be set aside in the 2016/17 financial year for community empowerment programmes such as the fire brigades, clean city programme, community emergency response team, peace corps, tree planters, rodent control, primary health, Shanyela Project, Lungile Mtshali and Learnership/Internships programmes.
The final tabling of the budget before the Ekurhuleni Council is scheduled to take place on April 28 at Alberton Council Chambers, a week after the executive mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, has presented his State of the City Address on April 20.
