The budget rebalance for this year in the amount of 21.756.000 euros was adopted tonight at the session of the Bijelo Polje Municipality Assembly with 19 votes in favor and two against.
The adopted rebalancing is higher than the plan for by 3.505.000 euros or 16,63 percent.
All 13 points were adopted.
Explaining the reasons for rebalancing, the secretary of the Secretariat for Finance, Alida Nuhodžić, said that the most important reasons for proposing the Decision on Amendments to the Decision on the Budget of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje for the year 2024 are the higher realization of the personal income tax, which in the budget for the year 2024 was planned in the amount of 3.800.000 euros, and that by amending the Decision on the budget it is planned in the amount of 7.000.000,00, as well as more transferred funds from 2023 to 2024.
She stated that in the Decision on the budget of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje for 2024, the initial deposit was planned in the amount of 1.400.000 euros, and it was realized in the amount of 2.415.000 or 72,50 percent more than the plan.
The third reason for making the Decision on rebalancing, as she stated, is the increase in funds for wages, which is conditioned by the change in regulations related to the area of wages, which must be harmonized with the Europe now 2 program.
Members of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) pointed out that the budget is responsible and domestic, which the members of the opposition in the local parliament did not agree with.
Vaso Obradović from the coalition For the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG) criticized the behavior of the President of the Municipality, Petar Smolović, who, looking in the direction of the opposition benches, uttered the words that they are unknown, ignorant, that they don't know how.
"You refer to the election results, you should know, we do not agree with the way you run the municipality and the way you distribute citizens' funds. I hope that you will be the strongest party in the local elections, but you will no longer have anyone to form the government with," he said. said Obradović, adding that something similar happened in other cities of Montenegro.
Dražen Petrić from the Europe Now Movement (PES) pointed out that the essence of the rebalancing is the amendment to the law on financing local self-government, which the current parliamentary majority adopted in January at the proposal of the Government.
"The revenues of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje from the personal income tax are higher by as much as 3,2 million euros precisely because of the mentioned changes. This means that the state has provided alternative sources of financing for the costs incurred due to the increase in wages under the Europe now 2 program, which significantly increases salaries and employees in the local government. However, these revenues significantly exceed the increase in gross wages on that basis, so that additional revenues can be used for capital expenditures. Despite this fact, Petrić said. adding that despite these facts, the PES will not support the rebalancing because they believe that the Municipality manages finances in a non-transparent manner, that the party's employment and asphalting continued, as well as that the wrong economic policy of the DPS towards the north is one of the causes of the significant population outflow, which was shown almost census results published.
The head of the municipality, Petar Smolović, said that through responsible business, savings and increased tax collection, they increased the budget by slightly more than three million euros, stressing that funds for environmental protection have been increased.
He also reminded about the projects of installation of filters for air purification, which he will continue with the installation at the prosecutor's office building and the elementary school "Risto Ratković".
He stated that the Municipality will apply the Europe 2 package in order to increase wages, but also that it will pay certain interest to workers on back wages.
"When salaries increase and certain costs increase, transfers must also increase, so transfers to the Cultural Center and the Museum will increase by 12 to 15 percent," he said, emphasizing the increase in transfers for sports by about 200 euros, which will support sports for the future of young people.
He reminded that councilors' salaries were increased by about 20 percent, from 150 to 200 euros, adding that he was particularly proud of the increase in student scholarships, which, along with sports, is the best investment of money.
"We have tried to do our business honestly, modestly, conscientiously and domestically, to collect all these savings and income well and to redirect them to where it is most needed," he said, adding that they are grateful to the position and the opposition for their constructive opinions.
"I invite everyone to work together for the benefit of the citizens of Bijelo Polje," said Smolović.
Bonus video: