KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - In a special council meeting held in the Knysna Municipality council chambers on Tuesday 7 June, the council reconsidered and approved the budget for the 2022/23 financial year.
The special council meeting was a follow-up from a meeting held last week, where the budget was first tabled.
During Tuesday’s meeting the budget was accepted without amendments.
According to the DA, the budget included:
- Revenue budget (capital grants included) of R1 108 527 123
- Operating expenditure budget of R1 061 274 998
- Operating budget surplus of R784 038
"Any actual cash surplus realised at year-end will be utilised to boost the Capital Replacement Reserve for future infrastructure investment," said DA Knysna Constituency Head Dion George.
The revenue sources will be funded via the following revenue sources effective from 1 July:
- Property rates (4,8%);
- Water (4,8%);
- Sanitation (4,8%); and
- Refuse (11,5%)
"It must be noted that in the absence of the Nersa-approved consumer tariff increase, the municipality applied a provisional tariff increase of 7,47% for the 2022/2023 financial year. The final Nersa-approved consumer tariff increase will be tabled for council approval upon receipt thereof," George added.
"The tabled budget was supported by the DA, KIM and the EFF, and rejected by the ANC, PA and PBI."
During the meeting, a motion was considered which resulted in the termination of the appointment of Marlene Boyce as acting municipal manager only a week after she was appointed.
"The motion further called for the investigation into the conduct of the executive mayor, in terms of the Code of Conduct of Councillors, for it is alleged he failed to 'convey the decision' of the Breede Valley Council resolution to second Mr Esau to Knysna Municipality. We reject the aspersions cast against the executive mayor, and welcome the investigation to establish the facts," George said.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
