By Judith Sibanda
The Victoria Falls Municipality has started engaging with residents over a proposed supplementary budget that may result in a rise in rates and tariffs.
The local authority said the approved $22 million budget was no longer sufficient hence the pressing need to adopt a supplementary.
Ward 1 Councillor Margaret Varley urged residents to attend the supplementary meetings to be held at all eleven wards.
“The rising cost of doing business and the promulgation of S.1. 33 of 2019 has necessitated a need for a supplementary budget if we are to continue to provide a satisfactory service to ratepayers,” Cllr Varley explained.
“I urge you to attend this important meeting, I understand that it is short notice, but it would be in your interest to try and attend one of them.”
On March 7, the council circulated an internal memo advising section heads to decline payments of services in local currency with immediate effect which ratepayers found unjustified.
“Please note that the following services offered by the council will be paid in US$ with effect from 7th of March…lease rentals, billboards or advertising fees, plant approval fees, development fees, change of use/special consent, plant hire, trading licences, application and building inspection, tender documents, gravel extraction, road crossing, cession, survey fees, illegal development fees, penalties, fines and pegging fees,” read part of the memo.
Cllr Varley said ward 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 will meet on Thursday at Chinotimba Hall at 5 pm while ward 11 will convene at Chamobondo Primary School same time.
Part of ward 11 in Mfelandawonye will meet on Friday while Ward 1, 2 and 3 convene at the Council board room at 6 PM.
Special interest groups will also meet at the Council board room at 10 am while the business community will meet at the same venue later.
