Keetmans residents face multiple hikes

RESIDENTS at Keetmanshoop will have to grit their teeth, tighten their belts and dig deep in their pockets to cope with a five to 11 per cent rise in tariffs for a number of basic services.

The news accompanied the announcement of the Keetmanshoop Town Council approving a N$35,3 million budget for 2007-2008. The Municipality has raised its tariff for water usage by 11 per cent, and increased the price of land by between 10 and 25 per cent, depending on the suburb.The tariff increases are expected to come into effect as of next month.Sanitation and refuse removal charges are set to rise by five per cent.The Municipality’s budget projected a surplus of N$2,7 million, while it forecast N$32,6 for its expenditure.The bulk of spending – a total of N$13,8 million – is for operational expenditure.In her budget speech, the Mayor of Keetmanshoop, Finna Elago, said Council was forced to impose the tariff hikes to keep pace with the inflation rate.She noted that Council had managed to trim its salary expenditure for 2006 – from N$13 million to N$11,2 million.Last year the Council spent 36 per cent of its operational budget on personnel – exceeding the ministerial guideline of 35 per cent.No budget provision was made for salary increases this year.Council has budgeted N$125 000 for small community projects development, while N$30 000 has been earmarked for the fight against HIV-AIDS.The Municipality has raised its tariff for water usage by 11 per cent, and increased the price of land by between 10 and 25 per cent, depending on the suburb.The tariff increases are expected to come into effect as of next month.Sanitation and refuse removal charges are set to rise by five per cent.The Municipality’s budget projected a surplus of N$2,7 million, while it forecast N$32,6 for its expenditure.The bulk of spending – a total of N$13,8 million – is for operational expenditure.In her budget speech, the Mayor of Keetmanshoop, Finna Elago, said Council was forced to impose the tariff hikes to keep pace with the inflation rate.She noted that Council had managed to trim its salary expenditure for 2006 – from N$13 million to N$11,2 million.Last year the Council spent 36 per cent of its operational budget on personnel – exceeding the ministerial guideline of 35 per cent.No budget provision was made for salary increases this year.Council has budgeted N$125 000 for small community projects development, while N$30 000 has been earmarked for the fight against HIV-AIDS.