BCC plans to scrape water levy
THE Bulawayo City Council is planning to scrape the US$6,25 water levy and maintain the controversial road levy in next year's budget.
This is contained in the city's proposed budget for 2011, which has slashed more than US$125 million from this year's budget figure to come up with a proposed budget figure of about US$178 million for next year.
The council budget for the past two years has been US$303 million.
According to documents Chronicle is in possession of, the highest increase in rates would be US43 cents levied in the low-density suburbs.
However, the figure is only applicable to households that stick to the stipulated water rationing limits as those who exceed 14 kilolitres in a month, would pay significantly more.
Industries might enjoy the highest cut, with the removal of the US$435 water levy.
The proposed budget, which was unveiled to residents over the weekend, has placed emphasis on water, with those who abuse water paying more and seeks to ensure that the city's roads are rehabilitated.
In an interview yesterday, Bulawayo's financial services director, Mr Kimpton Ndimande, said the proposed budget would be scrutinised to factor in the input of the residents before a final draft is drawn up.
"As far as rates are concerned, the changes are slight. We have removed the water levy and residents will use the first five kilolitres of water, about 25 drumfulls, free of charge every month," said Mr Ndimande.
He said people who would stick to the stipulated rationing limit of 14 kilolitres in a month would pay US$0.75 for the first six to 14 kilolitres.
"Residents who use between 15 and 25 kilolitres will fork out US$1 per kilolitre in addition to the price for the first 14 kilolitres and those who use more than 25 kilolitres will pay at least US$1.50 per kilolitre. The fixed charge for water will go up from US$0.66 to US$1.50," said Mr Ndimande.
He said the new tariff structure was designed to ensure that the poorest family had access to the commodity while those who abuse it, pay more.
Mr Ndimande said the effects of the tariffs were that, those residents whose water usage did not exceed the free five kilolitres would pay about US$6.48 less in the high-density suburbs.
People in high-density suburbs are paying an average of US$14,38 every month.
Analysing the effect on tariffs for residents who kept to the water-rationing limit of 14 kilolitres per month, Mr Ndimande said people who paid US$12.45 in the high density suburbs, would pay US$12.86 next year, while their counterparts who are paying US$14.38 would fork out US$14.64.
He said low-density residents who were paying US$32.62 would pay US$33.05.
Mr Ndimande said the road levy had been maintained because the city's roads were in a serious state of disrepair.
"They have to be resealed, patching is no longer enough to restore them," he said.
He appealed to residents to pay their bills in full.
"The bills are not that high and I appeal to residents to pay them in full and add even as little as US$3 on top to clear arrears that accumulated this year," said Mr Ndimande.
He said the residents had received the budget well, saying it was fair.
"After further consultations considering concerns raised by residents, council will come up with a final draft that will be unveiled to residents on 17 December," he said.
