The Municipal Assembly (MA) of Budva adopted the budget for this year by a majority vote.
Previously, the local parliament included amendments by the Mayor of the Municipality, Nikola Jovanović, in the draft budget proposal, which envisage that this year 100.000 euros will be allocated from the city treasury for the families of those tragically killed in the Cetinje massacres, half a million euros for free preschool education, and 270 thousand euros in subsidies for tenants.
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The budget was voted for by councilors from the list "Budva our city", the European Union, the Civic Movement URA, the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), and the "Movement for the City".
The councilors of Democratic Montenegro and the Europe Now Movement (PES) abstained.
Councilors from the "For the Future of Budva" coalition did not vote, although they attended the session.
Assistant Secretary for Finance Slavko Đukanović said that the budget was projected at 64 million euros, and that he had received approval from the relevant ministry.
"This budget is a good starting point for the further development of the city, both this year and next. I hope that we will succeed in implementing the budget as efficiently and to the greatest possible extent," said Đukanović.
Councilor of the "Movement for the City" Đorđe Zenović pointed out that the budget does not deviate in any way from the practice of previous years.
"The budget is realistic, a little over 47 million euros, and the remaining 17 million euros are carried over from last year, and this is a consequence of the non-realization of the capital budget and unrealized investments, which is why the money is being carried over. When it comes to expenses, nine million euros are for gross salaries and are largely conditioned by the Europe Now 1 and 2 projects, but also by additional employment of people in the administration. It is undeniable that the Budva municipality, which is among the richest municipalities in Montenegro, can bear these costs, but we must reduce the number of employees," Zenović emphasized and suggested reducing representation, primarily in secretariats and services.
As he said, the "Movement for the City" will vote for the budget.
Todorović: Political marriage of DPS, SDP and Budva our city
When it comes to amendments, Zenović praised Jovanović's initiative.
At the beginning of her speech, councilor "For the Future of Budva" Jovana Todorović congratulated "the conclusion of a political marriage between 'Budva our city', SDP and DPS."
"We had the opportunity to see the wedding night and the newlyweds, the old wedding party, but we don't know where the anđibula was. We received messages from citizens who voted for 'Budva Our City', writing en masse that they were deceived, because they voted for something else. I ask councilor Dejan Božović, who is the leader of the 'Budva Our City' list and whose voice we did not hear, because he was supposed to be the mayor, to say something, because it seems that his word was taken away. I have heard about him as a nice, eloquent man," Todorović emphasized, adding that the Minister of Finance gave a reservation when it comes to budget expenditures.
She referred to Nikola Jovanović's platform, stating that it was an eye candy, because the proposed budget does not include anything that was presented in that program, from hospitals, promenades to kindergartens.
"The budget proposal is scandalous, because there are no pre-election promises that were made. Since you spent 75 thousand euros on travel services, I ask you where you went and when you are returning," said Todorović.
She accused Jovanović of being a traitor, and of "walking along the waterfront hand in hand with Stevan Džaković."
Jovanović reacted by stating that the presentation was "circus-like", and that when talking about political marriage, "For the Future of Budva" should first look into its own backyard and who they were entering into unprincipled marriages with.
"Don't give us political lessons that have nothing to do with morality and ethics," Jovanović emphasized.
"When I fought against the DPS, that party was strong and in power. Todorović was in the DPS at the time. I am proud that I was labeled an enemy of the state at the time. Just as I fought against that regime, I will fight against this new one that copies the previous one," Jovanović emphasized.
Rabrenović: The amendments are masking irrational spending
Ilija Gigović (For the Future of Budva) estimated that the transfer to the Municipal Company in 2020 was one million euros, and this year it was 1,7 million euros, excluding expenses for waste disposal, which is an additional 1,2 million euros, for a total of 2,7 million euros.
"These are enormously large funds that are growing year after year, even though Komunaolno can operate independently, because it earns seven million euros. I ask whether these 2,7 million euros will be used to patch up the 'holes' that director Predrag Ivanović did. I ask whether there is supervision over the spending of money and the enormous employment," said Gigović.
Dejan Rabrenović (PES) emphasized that not every citizen would be against the amendment, but that it was done to mask the rest, such as the expenditure of nine million euros for salaries, then 370 thousand euros for service contracts or 1,7 million euros for the Public Utilities Company... but that these parties would abstain.
"The Knowledge Academy has been excluded from funding, which is ridiculous because the company received a certificate for successful business, and those 100 thousand euros are spent on national teams," he said.
Živana Mudreša (URA) believes that the budget is realistic, rational and well-done, and praised Jovanović's amendments, which reflect the party's election platform.
Saša Samardžić (DPS) pointed out that this is the most important session because a document is being adopted that has the force of law in tax terms.
"The budget is a synthesis and a mirror of the work of all bodies. We are satisfied, because as a club of councilors we participated in the public debate, but unfortunately few political entities and citizens attended it. It is necessary to reduce costs for work and service contracts, but not at the expense of employees, and to redistribute them. We need to reduce funds for service contracts and implement the Law on Civil Servants and State Employees. An analysis of cultural events that are organized predominantly in the summer should be made so that they do not overlap," Samardžić emphasized and emphasized that it is necessary to have commissions and working bodies that will essentially determine whether the money that is directed is spent for what it was allocated for.
He emphasized that this budget reflects the DPS program, from free kindergartens to subsidies for tenants.
Manojlović Jovovićević: I hope there will be a budget rebalance that will include projects important to citizens
Marija Manojlović Jovićević (DPS) pointed out that this is a development budget, not a strategic investment budget.
"We need to look at the bigger picture and send a message to our citizens that we are responsible and vote on the budget, because Budva needs stability in providing services and the smooth functioning of the administration, because we are in temporary financing, so that the city can finally function. I hope that through the rebalance we will adopt all those investments that are important for our citizens," she said.
Kazanegra Stanišić accused Jovanović of sending members of a drug cartel to intimidate her
The budget debate was heated when Dragana Kažanegra Stanišić (Democratic Montenegro) took the floor and accused Jovanović, who is the guarantor of the budget, of telling lies about her, alluding to his appearance last night on the show Načisto on Television Vijesti, in which the first man of Budva spoke about the apartment in Pržno and her husband's job.
She pointed out that the budget does not speak of any successful work, but of unrealized investment cycles and high employment.
"The Mayor is responsible for the implementation of the budget. I cannot shake the impression I have in the previous period of the actions of the Mayor, a man who is the guarantor of the budget execution, who has given himself the right to state untruths in public, and in a mundane manner, acting in a condescending manner, because such behavior is not alien to him. Mayor, such behavior does not serve your honor, especially since you have taken aim at me, because I was not in public so that I could respond to you. Very manly and chivalrous. You did not say that there is a final court ruling in my favor, that the prosecutor's office dismissed the criminal complaint. You also said that as head of cabinet you fired my husband, and you did not say that he terminated his employment. I have the right to defend my personal dignity," she emphasized.
Municipal Assembly President Petar Odžić interrupted her, but she replied that she was not trying to interrupt her, because Jovanović was slandering her.
"He is targeting a woman, a citizen whose integrity he is trying to humiliate. I can be threatened by his Cerberus, his Bulumenta, threatening me and playing around my house. You will not silence me, because I am not like Jovanović, a subordinate of the drug-usurer cartel. What he is telling is a lie and shame on him," Kažanegra Stanišić told him.
Odžić interrupted her and said that he would not allow the budget debate to be privatized, and suggested that she organize a press conference.
Kažanegra Stanišić said that her speech could not be taken away.
Jovanović took the opportunity to respond, saying that he always tells the truth, even in the case of Kažanegra Stanišić.
"I don't know in what capacity she is in parliament, whether as a state secretary or a councilor, because she is performing her function illegally," said Jovanović.
Kazanegra Stanišić replied, "You're lying again."
She asked Odžić to now take the floor from Jovanović.
Željko Franeta, a member of the Democratic Party, also joined the debate, and a shout broke out in the hall, as he called on Odžić to interrupt Jovanović because he was stating untruths.
Kazanegra Stanišić accused Jovanović of spreading lies from a clique led by Milo Božović, Dragan Perović...
"Where is your contractor Saša Brković from the office? He sits here at every meeting, threatening and intimidating," she said, again alluding to the show Načisto, which also discussed this case.
Odžić turned off everyone's microphones and asked them to return to the topic, saying that he would not allow a single more sentence, after which the discussion was interrupted.
Kuljača: The budget lacks vision, there are no capital projects that will transform Budva into a city
Nemanja Kuljača (For the Future of Budva) accused Odžić of having a selective approach and not allowing councilor Kažanegra Stanišić to speak, but allowing President Jovanović to speak politically.
"You pretend to be equal to everyone, but you are not. As for the budget, what I think is lacking is its implementation. This is confirmed by the 17 million euros that were carried over from last year because the investments were not implemented. We have an opportunity through this session to find out who represents the government, because we know who the presidents of the Municipal Assembly and the Municipality are, but we do not know who the majority is. This budget lacks vision and is similar to every previous one. There are no capital projects that will turn Budva into a serious city here, and there is no visible connection between the budget and the strategic plan for the city's development. In essence, this is a coalition agreement," Kuljača pointed out.
Jovanović: Everything in the platform is in the budget
Mayor Nikola Jovanović said that the budget is development-oriented, not spending-oriented, as they say, and that it is at a historic level.
As he emphasized, the adoption of the budget creates the conditions for preparing for the summer season, because Budva has been on temporary financing for a long time.
"When it is said that there are no projects from the platform, you must be aware that there are cumulative items, such as the one with the chief architect for whom competitions will be announced. So, everything that is foreseen by the platform is in the budget. When it comes to salaries, Budva, compared to other Montenegrin municipalities, is at the lowest level when it comes to how much money is allocated for salaries, only 13,7 percent of the budget," he pointed out.
Jovanović said that the city needs everyone who wants to contribute to development through their work.
"A call to those in opposition here to see how their government staff will treat Budva. It seems that they have already opted for obstruction, nothing has been decided for Budva. They are not even allocating funds for their state bodies, so we need to allocate funds for the Health Center, Emergency Room, schools, kindergartens... Don't ask what the Municipality has done, but what the competent state bodies have done. I have not noticed that their activities in the government are aimed at helping Budva and ending the negative practice of 'nothing for Budva this year too'," said Jovanović.
Bojana Pićan (For the Future of Budva) responded that the very fact that they are transferring 17 million euros from the previous year speaks of the government's incompetence, and that they are not transferring it to the Government, because they have not prepared technical documentation for a single project.
"We will still watch Bemaks implement its projects in Budva," she said.
Milović: Political recruitment is a bad practice, hire professional people
Nikola Milović (DPS) said that bad examples do no one any good, such as political hiring.
"That should be a thing of the past. Those people who want to work should be employed. The best people should be chosen for leading positions, who want to help the development of the city. And we currently have 1.771 employees and contractors," he stressed.
According to him, the key question is how to put the budget into operation for the upcoming season.
"The budget that is now being adopted and the rebalance that will be made in mid-year, allow for the implementation of projects from the platform and for good news to finally start coming out of Budva. The decisions we make here must be with a human face and character. Remember, there is only one topic here - the City of Budva and the citizens of Budva," Milović emphasized.
The councilors will be discussing the Investment Plan, the City Development Program, the elections of new boards of directors of the Municipal Company and Mediteran Reklama, as well as the new convocation of the Municipal Election Commission.
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