The Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality (CALM) held a crucial stakeholder’s budget consultation meeting at Elukwatini community hall on Thursday May 09. The meeting aimed to engage all stakeholders in the municipal budget process before its finalization on May 31. This inclusive approach underscores the municipality’s commitment to involving its people in decision-making processes.
During the meeting, Executive Mayor Cllr Daniel Nkosi provided an overview of the proposed 2024-2025 municipal budget and its allocation. He highlighted the municipality’s progress, noting positive changes in the lives of residents and the near achievement of providing 24-hour water supply. However, he also acknowledged challenges such as vandalism, which undermines progress.
Nkosi emphasized the importance of the budget consultation and the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) in driving projects and service delivery. He urged residents not to invade sites but to consult the municipality when in need, to avoid hindering service delivery.
“Key budget highlights include a 4.9% increase in general revenue, NERSA (Electricity) rates, municipal employees’ salaries, and general expenditure, in line with inflation. The municipality expects to receive R1, 2million for the 2024-2025 financial years, primarily from billing rates and grants. The estimated expenditure is R1, 2 million, with capital projects budgeted at R473, million and operational costs at R13 million,” he said.
Nkosi also said the municipality relies heavily on grants, with approximately 78% of the budget sourced from grants such as equitable share, financial management grant, extended public works programs grant, and disaster management grant. Revenue accounts for 26% of the budget. In summary, the projected revenue is R1,259 million, expenditure R1,258 million, with a surplus or deficit expected to be above R1 million.
After the presentation, stakeholders were given the opportunity to comment and share their views on how the budget should be allocated. This interactive session allowed community members, business representatives, and other stakeholders to voice their opinions and suggest priorities for budget spending. Director of Planning and Economic Development, LT Motloung assured attendees that an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meeting would convene shortly to finalize the budget.
The stakeholder budget consultation meeting exemplifies the CALM’s commitment to transparency and community involvement in its budgetary decisions.
