Dear Editor
THE Mayor and City Council has commenced consideration of estimates of revenue and expenditure for 2017, for the Georgetown municipality.The Council’s Finance committee and Administration are discussing and deliberating different areas of the budget for 2017. It has been determined by Council that its 2017 budget will be predicated on a philosophical approach that will facilitate in a clear and distinct way the development of the nation’s capital in the context of a Green Economy.
This takes into account a way to make the city resilient against the consequences of climate change, global warming and other unprecedented environmental events and occurrences that can affect particularly the vulnerable parts of the city, including its fragile drainage system.
So far, the committee has examined figures relating to the provision of certain vital core municipal services, including enforcing compliance with building works and ensuring efficient and effective Solid Waste Management.
In the areas of Solid Waste Management, the Council is budgeting a greater percentage of its resources to improve its ability to assist in the collection and disposal of waste, to expand this service to other areas including Sophia, and to design a more integrated system to manage the city’s waste. This will allow for greater attention to composting, recycling and a greater push in the area of environment awareness in all local neighbourhoods.
As it relates to the City Engineer’s Department, the Committee and Administration are contemplating new approaches to enhance the department’s capacity to deal with the appropriate technologies to allow for more information to deal with the increasing number of high-rise buildings in the city of Georgetown.
In addition, the department is studying estimates to re-lay and repair certain roads and to develop sidewalks and design cycling lanes. Consideration of Council estimates would continue for the next few days, after which the draft budget will be sent to full council for its consideration and approval before it is read to the public before the end of 2016.
It is important to note that the priorities of this year’s budget were determined by various themes through a series of consultations with local communities and critical stakeholders. Inputs will be determined by the felt needs of residents in local areas, and the resources that are available to the municipality.
Regards
Royston King
Town Clerk
City of Georgetown