No more overtime abuse

TZANEEN – THE Greater Tzaneen mayor Dikeledi Mmetle said they have taken a decision to come up with a way of reducing an escalating legal fees and overtime bill.

Speaking while tabling her municipal budget of just over R1 billion at Tzaneen Showground recently, Mmetle said in order to succeed in their endeavour, they have introduced a legal rate card as a way of addressing the legal fee challenges.

We have also tasked management to ensure that overtime is not abused and that overtime for workers must be pre-approved by managers.

The total budget of R1 045 billion, is an increase of R111 million since the 2014/2015 financial year.

This increase is mainly due to the increase in service charges, and external grants from government.

She said the total budget includes an amount of R288 million which represents the equitable share allocation to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality.

An amount of R81, 5 million will be levied by way of property tax and R485 million will be sourced from user charges.

National allocations to fund operational activities amount to R4,4 million which includes the finance management grant of R1,6 million, the municipal systems improvement grant of R930 000 and the EPWP grant of R1,8 million.

An amount of R965 million has been made available on the operational budget for expenditure.

This substantial increase is largely due to the significant increase in salaries, repairs and maintenance, contracted services, general expenses and Eskom’s tariff for bulk electricity purchases.

Mmetle also said the expenditure amount also includes R273 million for salaries, R135 million for repairs and maintenance and R307 million for the purchase of bulk electricity and water.

An amount of R145 million has been allocated for capital expenditure for the 2015/2016 financial year.

This amount includes the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) allocation of R87 million which will be spent on roads, sport and recreational facilities as well as an amount of R10 million which represents counter funding on MIG projects. Capital from own sources amounts to R53 million.

The total operational expenditure amounts to R5,5 million of which R3,8 million or 70% of the total expenditure represents salaries and an amount of R1,7 million or 30% of total expenditure.

The mayor warned managers to ensure that expenditure on overtime does not exceed the threshold.

Management must also ensure that there is discipline among staff members and that overtime is kept at a minimum.

Bulk purchase for electricity will amount to 30%, repairs and maintenance will amount to 17% and general expenses will amount to 10%.

“It must be noted that all tariff increases are within the guidelines set by National Treasury which confirms that Greater Tzaneen Municipality does not prejudice National Economic Policy on Inflation,” Mmetle said.

She explained that the municipality is currently implementing projects in various wards. She said at ward 31, in Lenyenye, Lenyenye Stadium will get a facelift, The project has started and R14,7 million will be spent on it.

Mmetle further indicated that an amount of R24 million has been secured from the National Treasury through the MIG to complete the Mariveni-Petanenge road project.

She stated that an amount of R145 million has been allocated for capital expenditure for the 2015/2016 financial year. This amount includes the MIG allocation of R87 million which will be spent on roads, sport and recreational facilities as well as an amount of R10 million which represents counter funding on MIG projects. Capital from own sources amounts to R53 million.

In the 2015/16 financial year, we will allocate R25,8 to the Mariveni road upgrading from Gravel to Tar: Phase 2 of 4.

We have budgeted R31,4 million for the Matshwi road which will be upgraded from gravel to tar.

An amount of R22,9 million will be allocated to Mafarana, upgrading of road from gravel to tar: Phase 2 of 4

Relela Community Hall: Phase 2 of 2 will receive R9,2 million.

The upgrading of Runnymede Cluster Sports Facility, Phase 1 of 2 will receive R4,5 million.