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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Zvimba Rural District Council, which is on course to record a budget surplus, has adopted a reduced $5,8 million 2018 budget. Finance committee chairperson Councillor Robin Bailes Smith anticipated expenditure to stands at $5,5 million, leaving a surplus of $229 022. With salaries standing at about 23 percent, Zvimba RDC is one of a few local authorities that is closer to the Government stipulated 30:70 salaries to service delivery ratio. The 2017 budget stood at $8,3 million, representing a reduction of about 20 percent.

“The budgeted figures have been reviewed downwards from $8,3 million to $5,8 million in order to come up with a realistic budget and also guided by the fact that in 2017 we had cash savings from the previous year and we also budgeted for a loan, of which the two points are part of the 2018 budget,” said Cllr Smith. At least 33 percent of the budget will cover capital projects. The budget will see the introduction of an insurance levy that will have each student at council schools paying $1 towards insurance of infrastructure against natural disasters or other occurrences. As of September, Zvimba had collected a surplus of $335 588 from a target of $4,1 million. Zvimba is up to date with its salary obligations when most council are in arrears.

Cllr Smith hailed the management team led by chief executive officer Mr Peter Hlohla for managing to purchase road maintenance equipment and refuse collection this year. The equipment includes two tipper trucks, three refuse collection tractors and compactor, iron roller, motorised grader and water bowser truck. Zvimba also completed Murombedzi Secondary School, Marevanani Bridge, a dip tank, tarring roads at Murombedzi Growth Point, disbursement of bursaries, meeting clinic grants and completion of ARDA Sisi Clinic. To further improve revenue collection, Cllr Smith said Zvimba needed to embrace technology, which subsequently fits into Government’s ease of doing business reforms.