THE New Amsterdam municipality on Tuesday presented its multi-million dollar budget for the year 2017, in anticipation of raking-in some $164,884,970 in revenues, an increase of an estimated $24,995,869 on this year’s performance.
And while there has been no increases in rates and taxes, the Council anticipates making some $73,843,158 from property-taxes alone.
Municipal Treasurer, Ms Verna Newyear, made the presentation to a handful of citizens at the Council’s Chambers. Among those in attendance were: Mayor Kirt Wynter, along with councillors and municipal administrators; Education Officer Ms. Seleste La Rose; and former treasurer, Ms Sharon Anderson.
Newyear summarised the current year as having been a successful one thus far, and that thanks to their having a new Mayor and Councillors the municipality, with the aid of a capital budget of $18,853,325, was able to repair the municipal building, install security cameras, and purchase themselves a much-needed new vehicle.
Urging the citizenry to put aside their political differences and work together to improve the lot of the township, Newyear said:
“We must look at this town as our own home; no-one wants to live in a town that is unkempt, with garbage everywhere; we must desist from indiscriminate dumping.”
And giving a breakdown of the municipality’s expenditure for 2016, Newyear reported that the sum of $139,889,101, which had been budgetted for the year, has all been expended.
However, the sum has been increased, based on the fact that there will be an increase in the sale of lands and derelict vehicles within the municipality.
Further, there will be increased fees, including those for building applications, septic tanks, and various inspections.
The financial officer noted that with respect to the subject of ‘unpaid salaries’ as listed under income, the expected amount of $170,000 will be drawn from fines instituted against staff, especially those members of the constabulary who would have breached their working arrangements.
The sum of $29,160,119 is expected to be collected from services rendered by the abattoir and cemetery, as well as breaches of the by-laws, while unanticipated revenue is expected to be in the vicinity of $14,622,467.
According to Ms. Newyear, employment cost attracts a figure of $76,575,106, and includes salaries, wages and pension, which will attract a ten per cent increase, across-the-board, for municipal employees.
Employment overheads, which includes monies for overtime, gratuities, and incentives is budgetted at $26,327,522, while operating expenses is estimated to be $18,597,188.
The annual budget, which is yet to be approved by the Ministry of Communities, has anticipated, under its revenue base, income from government subvention, investment income, and rental of parks and playfields, along with grants, gifts and donations. The market revenue is expected to garner $30,472,121.
Further, Newyear revealed that although $139,889,101 was approved for 2016, the actual amount at the end of September 2016 was $94,553,068, as monies expected to be garnered from the amnesty was not forthcoming, as residents failed to take the opportunity to settle outstanding taxes. Taxes paid by citizens so far have amounted to $33,153,084, instead of the anticipated $73,843,168.
Meanwhile, Chairperson Ms Merlyn Henry, in an emotional plea, is calling on NA residents to pay their taxes, even as she highlighted that a prepared list of defaulters, from the various wards is being given to their respective councillors, who will have the responsibility of encouraging their constituents to honour their civil obligations in order that they may access improved services.