The Capital Budget for this year was adopted

The Assembly of the Capital City of Cetinje at today's session adopted the Budget for 2022 in the amount of 7.730.000 euros. 18 voted for the Budget proposal, 12 against, and there were no abstentions.

The mayor of Prijestonica, Nikola Đurašković, stated that the local self-government is aware that by the end of the year, due to numerous challenges and inherited problems, it will prepare a budget rebalance.

In his final speech on the occasion of today's debate on the Proposal for the Capital City Budget for this year, he said that the umbrella document for the financial functioning of the local administration was prepared at the end of the previous year, when it received the necessary approvals and went through the public hearing procedure.

"Appreciating that in the context of the time we had until March 31, creating a new budget proposal would be irresponsible, we decided to propose a budget in this form and in the amount of 7,73 million euros, aware that by the end of the year, due to numerous challenges and inherited problems, to prepare a budget rebalance", said Đurašković.

He said that in the previous days they started the responsible work of forming a new city administration, guided by the principles of expertise and depoliticization, with the desire to create an environment in which party affiliation will not be a reason for any favoritism.

"The main focus of our work will be the citizen, his needs and real problems," said Đurašković.

He pointed out that for this reason they want a city administration that will be a true service to citizens, an administration that will meet problems and solve them in the interest of the entire local community.

"We want an efficient service, convinced that citizens will soon see the benefits of this concept. In this sense, we have already launched the Open Doors program, during which I interviewed a significant number of our fellow citizens," said Đurašković.

He assessed that it is undoubtedly a good way for them to see what the real needs of the citizens are and to feel the pulse of the city.

Đurašković pointed out that the priorities of their work will be development policies and projects with the hope that they will soon offer the men and women of Cetinje new jobs.

"Our athletes, our children and youth, leaving here and achieving professional success on all the meridians of Europe and the World, ask the question: Why can't we do it in our city? That is why creating preconditions for their stay and professional progress in Cetinje will also be one of our priorities," said Đurašković.

As he stated, economic recovery and stopping emigration from the capital are the shortest way to an environment where the best potential will stay in Cetinje and not go to the world.

"Our goal is to spend funds from the capital budget more efficiently and in the service of the citizens of the capital. As part of my cabinet, I have already formed a team for capital investments, which will work operationally, but also at the level of planning," said Đurašković.

He added that he will implement concrete measures and a support system for local business and new investors, who will be at the service of all those interested in investing in Cetinje 24 hours a day.

According to him, it will make local government inclusive, in such a way that there will be no discrimination against anyone, especially not against vulnerable groups. "We already have more women than men in management positions in the city, which is a rarity in Montenegro," Đurašković pointed out.

Đurašković stated that they inherited from their predecessors a capital city that is moving out, a collapsed economy, a neglected rural area, and, as he said, almost no development programs.

"Our parks, historic core, sidewalks and run-down infrastructure in urban areas are in bad shape. Mojkovačka Street and the solution to the sinkhole problem were an unsolvable enigma of the previous government. "The city stadium is not finished yet, and FK Lovćen is at its lowest point in its over 100-year history," said Đurašković.

He added that other sports teams also have enormous difficulties in their work

"The capital's debt is about 39 million euros, and we fear that this debt is much higher. "In order to be able to fully assess the consequences of such business, we will engage an independent external audit, which will determine in detail how the city was managed years ago," said Đurašković.

Đurašković said that the stepmotherly attitude towards the national institutions in Cetinje is something he will not allow.

Also, as he said, the attitude towards state-building important organizations, cultural institutions, educational and religious entities was not at the appropriate level.

"Recently, in my inaugural speech, I said that Cetinje and Montenegro are nobody's backside, so I repeat that now. "You cannot support the CPC with less than five thousand euros for ten years on the one hand, and have a mouth full of patriotism and defense of the state on the other," said Đurašković.

He stated that he will change such trends in the first year of his mandate.

"How is it possible to ask for free textbooks for primary school students, and have a debt of over 32 thousand euros? Or to brag that the one-time aid for newborns is 350 euros, and on that basis owe over 46 thousand euros", asked Đurašković.

Đurašković also asked how it is possible to declare that public finances are stable, and owe 11,25 million euros based on taxes and contributions, while liabilities to suppliers doubled from 900 in 2017 to over 1,8 million euros on December 31. last year.

He pointed out that the eight million euro debt owed by the Waterworks for electricity must also be mentioned.

Đurašković asked if patriotism is the debt of the Lovćen Football Club of over one million euros.

"Would you like to mention other large liabilities such as the debt to the Podgorica landfill of more than 200 thousand EUR. Overdue obligations to public companies, public institutions, sports, culture, local communities, associations and individuals amount to over 380 thousand euros," said Đurašković.

As he said, the administration will advocate for greater support for educational and health institutions based in Cetinje, but also for the relocation of all those institutions and ministries that should have been in the capital a long time ago, which by their importance and history, as well as by law, they belong

"Cetinje must regain the authority of the Capital, not only on paper, but in everyday life," said Đurašković.

He pointed out that there will not and must not be any revanchism, but that in accordance with the findings of the external audit, the overall operations of the Capital City, city companies and sports clubs owned by the city will be reviewed.

"We will not dwell in the past, we will look and move forward, solving the problems of ordinary people," Đurašković pointed out.

Đurašković said that, respecting such an approach, he expects the Assembly to unanimously adopt the proposed Budget for this year and thus send a message of common good intentions for the Capital to move forward.

"Cetinje and our fellow citizens are our only obligation. The functions are temporary and the only measure of our success will be a satisfied citizen who will stay and work in Cetinje. "Convinced that better days are ahead for the Montenegrin Capital," Đurašković concluded.