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Blessings Chidakwa Midlands Bureau
GWERU residents have hailed council for appreciating their plight by reducing the 2018 proposed budget by $2 million. The council last week proposed a $38 million budget for 2018, down from the current $40 million. The proposed budget will see rates and tariffs remaining unchanged. Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association spokesperson Mr Cornelia Selipiwe yesterday said council had taken the plight of residents into consideration.

“We welcome the 2018 budget and we appreciate the city fathers’ effort for proposing a static budget,” he said.
“But, as residents we also feel that they should have involved us more in the budget formulation process and not just the consultation process.” Gweru United Residents Association secretary general Mr Reward Mhuri said the stance by council to reduce the budget was plausible as it would push residents to pay rates.

“This is a noble idea as it entices residents to pay rates,” he said. Mr Mhuri said council should cut its expenditure for it to manage quality service delivery.
“We are just worried when it comes to council’s spending, they should comply with the Local Government’s directive of allocation 30 percent of its expenditure to salaries and 70 percent to service delivery. If they stick to that as a city we are good to go,” he said. Gweru director of finance Mr Edgar Mwedzi said the 2018 budget had been crafted in recognition of the harsh economic climate and the realisation that inflation will remain within the single digit zone.

“As such, the budget will be a static one with necessary adjustments. The obtaining difficulties facing the residents and all other clients do not favour any slight increase in tariff and this calls for council to be more innovative in delivering service at low cost without compromising on quality,” he said.