Update
KNYSNA NEWS - The extended deadline for the proposed 2023/24 draft municipal budget tabled by Knysna Municipality is looming, with the final date for comment by the public tomorrow, Friday 19 May.
The proposed 2023/24 draft municipal budget has come under increasingly heavy criticism from the public and political parties alike, with the DA in Knysna arguably the biggest critics.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has even weighed in on the matter as well as the Sedgefield Residents and Ratepayers Association.
If passed, the proposed budget could see a rates increase of 33%, as well as a major increase in property values all around, with some potentially increasing by as much as 300%.
The operating revenue budget is set to increase by 13% to R1,2b, while the operating expenditure budget will also increase by 12,7% to match up at the R1,2b.
There will be an operating surplus of R1,432m, down from last year's R2,276m.
Furthermore, there are various levy increases proposed as well: electricity - 18,65%; water - 9%; refuse - 6% and sanitation - 5,3%. The rates payable on a property in Knysna worth R4,5m are R36 353.
This exceeds the rates payable in other Western Cape municipalities such as Bitou (R27 000), Cape Town (R25 500), George (R24 960), Stellenbosch (R21 675) and Mossel Bay (R15 903).
In terms of the property value increases per ward in Knysna, the largest increases are to be seen in more affluent areas.
The approximate percentage property value increase per ward is as follows:
- Ward 1 (Sedgefield) - 9%
- Ward 2 (Sedgefield, Karatara) - 9%
- Ward 3 (Nekkies, Oupad, Dam se Bos) - 0%
- Ward 4 (Gouna, Diepwalle) - 3%
- Ward 5 (Buffalo Bay, Brenton-on-Sea, Rheenendal, Belvidere) - 16%
- Ward 6 (Hornlee West) - 2%
- Ward 7 (Khayalethu, Concordia) - 1%
- Ward 8 (Joodsekamp, Concordia) - 1%
- Ward 9 (Thesen Islands, The Heads, Leisure Island, Hunter's Home) - 38%
- Ward 10 (Knysna CBD, Simola, Knysna Heights) - 22%
- Ward 11 (Hornlee East) - 1%
The initial deadline for comment was 12 May, but it was extended to 19 May during a special council meeting last weekend where Ward 9 Councillor Sharon Sabbagh put in the request for an extension of the deadline for the public.
It was also Sabbagh who started a petition on Change.org to oppose the budget, that at the time of writing had amassed 4 329 signatures.
Written submissions to oppose the budget can be submitted by hand or post to the municipality or by email to budget@knysna.gov.za.
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