SEVERAL municipalities, on Monday, presented their 2011 budgets to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Kellawan Lall at the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) Building in Kingston, Georgetown. The Minister cautioned the municipalities that, in their budget considerations and presentations, more care ought to be taken to first consult the people they represent and who benefit from the services they provide.

More focus, he said, needs to be placed on garbage collection and the creation of landfill sites to engender proper solid waste management in the municipalities.

To this end, Minister Lall noted that Government is in the process of acquiring 12 garbage trucks to be distributed among the more populous municipalities, notwithstanding the ones that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will purchase with its subvention.

Permanent Secretary Mr. Nigel Dharamlall reminded the municipal representatives that the presentation of a budget to the Minister is a requirement of law. The PS said the Ministry expects ‘proper’ budgets with emphasis on solid waste management, tax collection and infrastructure improvements.
The Anna Regina Town Council estimates its total revenue and expenditure for 2011 at $81,006,207. This, according to the Council, represents a 5.52 percent increase over that of 2010.
The main focus for next year is on drainage, roads and streets, garbage disposal and maintenance. This is expected to benefit a population of approximately 13,000 in a town of approximately 78.5 square kilometers.

In addition to government’s subvention, the Municipality at Anna Regina garners revenue from municipal property tax on more than 6,300 properties, market revenue, grants, gifts, donations and rents.

The New Amsterdam Municipality said that although more homes are being built and a few new businesses established, it has recognised a decline in the business sector to the point where some businesses are converted to residences, or abandoned in some cases.
The Council pointed to the fire that ravaged Pitt Street, New Amsterdam saying that this, too, has contributed to the decline, noting that some businesses have still not yet been re-established.
The budget estimates for New Amsterdam is $129,583,365, which represents a decrease of more than $700,000 from last year. For next year, the council intends to focus on better abattoir services, the collection and disposal of garbage and the proper management of the municipal market. The more than 41,000 residents will also benefit from improved public health services and better infrastructure.

Rose Hall Town has an estimated population of 12,500 and the projected budget is $46,579,397.
The Council says the lion’s share is budgeted for capital works as that would be its focus next year. It is run by an Interim Management Committee, which said revenue collection was still an area that needed to be addressed as this is the main source of revenue for the Council.
A proposed estimate of the revenue and expenditure of the Corriverton Municipality for 2011, calls for a total of $70,728,887 to benefit the more than 30,000 residents there.
The council said its focus for next year would be on completing the valuation of properties there so that people can begin to pay taxes and ultimately assist in the betterment of the community. In addition, a better solid waste management, the cleaning and clearing of drains and canals and the maintenance of culverts are part of the programme as well. (GINA)