RATEPAYERS will have to cough up seven percent more for rates, Hibiscus Coast Municipal mayor, Cynthia Mqwebu, announced at special council meeting held at the HCM council chambers last Friday, where she presented the HCM’s budget for 2015/2016.
She added that there would also be an increase in all tariff charges by seven percent, and 12 percent on electricity. “It should be noted that on electricity we are guided by NERSA and treasury guidelines.
“Talking about electricity, I would like to encourage communities to use electricity sparingly as we are aware of the challenge we are facing in regard to power, which has resulted in load shedding,” she said.
“Let us reduce the use of electricity by at least two percent per business entity, including us as government,” she added.
The municipality’s budget in total amounts to R918 196 771, the operation budget is R754 860 511 and the capital budget R163 336 260.
“It should be noted that there is an addition of R14 511 756 from the budget which was presented in March this year.
The municipality has budgeted more than R1 million towards its Youth Development Programmes. “We have allocated more than R500 000 to sustain the registration of needy matriculants into tertiary institutions, and R360 000 for in-service training, whereby 15 students will be getting a a stipend of R2 000 per month,” said the mayor.
She added that R450 000 would also be used for internships where 15 graduates will be afforded an opportunity to get maximum work experience of two years while getting a stipend of R2 500.
