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Manicaland Bureau
MUTARE City Council has approved a supplementary budget that will see commercial, industrial and institutional tariffs hiked by 800 percent.

Council has also reviewed clamping fees from $30 to $180.

Parking fees have been increased from $1 to $5 per hour, while health fees have been hiked by 200 percent.

Land debtors’ outstanding balances have been increased by 500 percent for all serviced areas, while heavy duty vehicles road levy is $50 per day per trip for foreign trucks and $30 for locals.

Council spokesperson Mr Spren Mutiwi confirmed the development in an interview with The Herald yesterday.

He said the supplementary budget was approved by council last week in terms of Section 219 of the Urban Councils Act.

The supplementary budget seeks to raise an extra $36,4 million from the initial cash flow of $31,1 million.

The theme of the supplementary budget is “Supplementing Core Service Delivery in Tough and Turbulent Economic Times”.

Asked how council expected residents and stakeholders to absorb the increment considering current economic challenges facing the nation, Mr Mutiwi said council’s hands were tied as it required money to deliver meaningful services to ratepayers.

“We know the situation out there is tough, but residents are the ones who want services,” he said.

“We are interested in sustaining basic services so that at least residents can have treated water, their bins collected, among other services.”

Mr Mutiwi reiterated that residents were consulted.

“We went through budget consultation process and we consulted all the 19 wards,” he said.

“We also consulted key stakeholders, who include businesses. We sensitised them on the need to review the fees. We also advertised our proposed tariff schedule, requesting residents with objections to come forward.  We went through all the required processes and procedures.”

The supplementary budget now awaits approval by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde July Moyo.