The councilors of the Capital city gave a positive assessment to the proposal of the final budget of Podgorica. The half-yearly report on the total realized receipts and executed expenditures, expressed in accordance with the organizational, functional and economic classification, was also approved by them. The councilors voted for the establishment of the Center for Sustainable Development of Podgorica.
They also adopted a proposal on the organization of New Year's holidays. The Assembly did not adopt the price list for services at the city swimming pools in the SC "Morača" complex. The councilors did not give the green light to the location for the construction of the auxiliary facility "Zelenila" in Podgorica.
The City Parliament adopted a report on the activities implemented in the implementation of the Local Plan for the Improvement of Social Inclusion and the Development of Social and Child Protection Services in the Capital City for the period 2020-2023. year, for the year 2023.
Predrag Šćepanović was appointed as the executive director of "Communal Services". Alija Hamzić was elected as the head of the Parking service. The new member of the Selection and Appointment Committee of the Capital City is Nađa Ljiljanić.
Vladimir Filipović is the president of the Election Commission of the Capital City, and Nikola Jočić is his deputy.
Goran Šćepanović said that it is problematic that a minor was recorded in the betting shop.
Zeković said that there is a larger number of minors "who take part in gambling".
"These data must be taken with a serious reserve. Our services are not responsible for them... We all react when the consequences of a problem occur," Zeković said.
Ksenija Aranitović (DPS) said that it would be good if the next reports contain recommendations and measures "on the issue of these unrealized activities". She asked whether work had been done to improve the accessibility of persons with disabilities (PWD) in the Health Center.
Zoja Bojanić Lalović (DPS) said that the Capital City's attitude towards young people would have to be different. She pointed out that little is said about quality activities.
Miljan Barović (Secretariat for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development) said that the location of the workshop for the needs of Podgorica's "Zelenilo" is in Donja Gorica, "that is, near the existing facility of the enterprise "Zelenilo".
Despotović (DPS) said that the opposition will always "praise what is good".
"Everything that is inherited doesn't always have to be bad," she said.
Rakčević said that since July 2023, almost 100.000 areas in the territory of Podgorica have been greened.
Barović said that the Agency for Management of Protected Areas in Podgorica made a profit in the amount of 42.000 euros.
Dragan Senić (Agency for Construction and Development of Podgorica) said that it was operating with a profit in the amount of 34.000 euros.
The director of sports facilities, Aleksandar Vučković, said that he had a loss of 300.000 euros, which he "inherited from the previous government".
"The sulfuric acid we use has jumped by 50 percent. The probes have jumped by a full 127 percent," said Vučković.
Klikovac said that he would not support the proposal to increase prices.
"Everyone who has gone to the seaside has seen the prices of services, we will not increase the price of the pool ticket for those who do not have the opportunity to go to the seaside," he said.
He suggested that there should be fewer reserved appointments for the use of the swimming pool.
"There are too many reasons why we are against such a decision. There has been an increase in costs, but we think that because of this social component that this type of service provided by the sports facilities has in relation to the tropical climate in Podgorica, for these reasons the capital must understand the importance of these pools," said the DPS councilor.
Independent councilor Zeković apostrophized that "we should take into account the rationalization of costs", adding that the importance of city swimming pools should not be ignored.
Mašković said that the increase in the entrance fee for the swimming pool is only to the detriment of the citizens. "We have to be aware of the economic situation in the capital...", he said.
Ljiljanić (Movement for Podgorica) appealed to the administration and all authorities to include the construction of another swimming pool in the territory of Podgorica in the capital budget.
Councilor Budimir Mugoša questioned the possibility that someone "at the age of 25 can be the director of a company with over 200 employees".
"I would like to see a private person who will hire a guy with three years of experience and give him the position of director. We want to appoint a 100-year-old guy as the director of a company that employs 25 workers. Why doesn't someone become a doctor at 25, not 35, 36 ...", said Mugoša, adding that it cannot give good results.
Klikovac said that he found it strange that "Roads" did not present two used buses to the public.
Borovinić Bojović gave the councilors a break of half an hour, so the session continues at 14.30:XNUMX p.m.
Zdenka Popović (Democrat) said that "Klikovac does not know the Law on Public Procurement".
"The government of Duško Marković adopted amendments to the Law on Public Procurement. In the first half of 2017, the immediate agreement was to break up large procurements into smaller ones - 13 million euros. In the second half of 2017, that amount was 28 million euros From that year until today, I have not heard anyone from your ranks say 'we are amazed,'" said Popović.
Klikovac said that this is a serious matter and called on the competent institutions to deal with this issue.
Borovinić Bojović said that she was sorry that Klikovac was being estranged.
"The reactions of the citizens, so far, who contact me every day, are grateful and extremely good. I have received countless messages from citizens that they can now come to work safely and securely... and everything else like that," she said. .
Čarapić appealed that the New Year's market be organized earlier.
Andrija Klikovac (DPS) asked whether "Roads" had started the procedure for purchasing buses, whether they had issued a tender for it, and where they were imported from.
"Why are we as councilors not adequately informed about it? Why is the Podgorica public not informed about it and what is going on there," he asked.
Radoš Zečević, executive director of Podgorica's "Roads", replied to Klikovac that in September no one will ask them if they have enough buses, but if they are doing their job and if they are functional.
"For the time being, we have acquired two used buses because, exclusively, I went for them. They are of extremely good quality, probably already better than new buses. And they cost seven and a half thousand euros," Zečević said.
Klikovac said that "someone here is secretly and organized buying buses".
"I call on the competent institutions to pay attention to this public, that is, secret procurement," he appealed.
Zečević said that an expert assessed the value of those buses and added that Klikovac was "looking for a hair in the egg".
Vasilije Čarapić said that the decisions on amendments to the Decision on the establishment of the limited liability company Local public broadcaster "Radio televizija Podgorica" are very good. He added that they received a positive opinion from Injac. If this is adopted, Čarapić claims, City Television will be the first local media that will be aligned with IBAR He said that the work of Gradska TV has improved significantly.
"We have different content, topics that are closer to Podgorica. I think that the rating of that television has improved, which we should be proud of," said Čarapić, adding that the reforms of Gradska TV were successful.
Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government and Cooperation with Civil Society, Slađana Anđušić, said that "no regulation is ideal, and flaws are most often shown during the implementation of a single decision".
Mašković pointed out that if the decision is not adopted, a public debate is the next logical step.
"If the shortcomings of this decision are corrected, you can be sure that something like this will have our support," Mašković said.
DPS member Aleksandra Despotović asked "what is the ultimate goal of establishing this center".
"When would that Center start functioning, knowing that it is not in the Budget for 2024," she asked.
Anđušić replied to Despotović that the goal of the Center is the implementation of international projects.
Borovinić Bojović said that "all NGO representatives who participated in this work showed enormous constructiveness".
Councilor Miloš Mašković said that the decision to establish the Center for Sustainable Development of Podgorica did not go through a public debate. He said that certain non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were favored during the preparation of the decision.
"Organizations that we want participated, which I don't think is fair to other NGOs, but there should have been a public call that will define which organizations and under what conditions can participate in the preparation of such a decision," said Mašković, adding that the conditions for making "such a decision" should be examined.
He said that there are no basic conditions for implementing such a decision. Mašković believes that the competences of this center are disputed.
"The question arises as to who these experts from NGOs are. You did not mention that the participant should be an expert in international projects. We need people who have experience in implementing international projects," Mašković said.
Borovinić Bojović said that "this decision must have been made for seven months".
"More than 20 meetings were certainly held, where everyone, together with the representatives of the Capital City, gave certain suggestions and participated in the creation of the decision. This is a completely new vision within which we wanted to realize a better connection of the civil sector with the executive power," she said.
Deputy Mayor Luka Rakčević welcomed the initiative, and added that it will help citizens pay taxes.
"The idea is to provide more digital services by the end of the year... And to enable all citizens to settle all their obligations electronically..." said Rakčević.
He said that every "resident of Podgorica knows why the government was overthrown" and said that it was mainly due to the situation in PES. He said that he thinks they acted correctly.
Borovinić Bojović said that "we are all guided by the interests of the citizens".
"No one should use this scene for promotion or election campaign," she said.
Mitar Vuković (Democrats) said that Klikovac's allegations regarding Podgorica's "Vodovod" are incorrect.
The debate on this agenda item is over, and the councilors will now discuss the method of paying administrative fees and real estate taxes electronically.
Spadijer said that they want to achieve a modern service and modernize the process, which, he says, will benefit the citizens.
"I believe that the citizens will feel the benefits. With this decision, we include administrative and other fees. I believe that in this way we will improve communication with the citizens as well," he assessed.
Popović told Klikovac that there were no significant projects until the change of local government.
Klikovac said that the problem is "that nothing has been done in this year regarding the expropriation of the land". During his presentation, he repeatedly told Popović that the current local government had not done anything adequately.
Popović told Klikovac that it is "uncivilized" to criticize and question the expertise of the executive director of the Podgorica Vodovod, Aleksandar Nišavić.
Stefan Vešović said that "Vodovod i kanalizacija" is a company that, as he claims, has had an excessive number of employees for many years. He said that "Vodovod" and "Čistoća" are companies that have served for party employment for years.
"The surplus of employees in 'Vodovod' is between 100 and 200. I know that if you came to power tomorrow, you would send all the people who are not on the political line, regardless of how they work, to the street," Vešović said, adding " that we have to be realistic, clear and not manipulate the facts".
Klikovac noted that "no citizen, not even a tourist, thinks that this is a clean city at the moment".
The councilors are currently debating the half-yearly report on the total realized receipts and incurred expenses shown in accordance with the organizational, functional and economic classification.
Spadijer said that receipts are 26 million euros higher than in the same period last year.
"When it comes to tax revenues - the capital received 29 million euros, higher collections are expected in the second part of the year. When it comes to expenses, they amount to 44 million euros," Špadijer said.
According to him, the capital city has a debt in the amount of 18 million euros, without issued guarantees.
Klikovac (DPS) said that the data that Špadijer presented to the councilors and citizens show that the capital has the money, the capacity to borrow for development projects, "and we do almost nothing".
"There is also money for a tram... Citizens do not pay tax just to pay it to the Capital City, but to build the conditions for development, so that the value of their property increases. This is a basic lesson in finance...", Klikovac said. .
He asked why the services of the Capital City are being increased, if there is money in the city coffers. Klikovac is also interested in "what the citizens of Podgorica get from all this".
DPS member Zoja Bojanić Lalović pointed out that she is not satisfied with the way in which the area related to youth and culture is developing in Podgorica. She asked Spadijer "if he is aware of the condition of the yard of the Stojanović house".
Spadijer said that the public library "Radosav Ljumović" has very few contracts in the works.
Zeković questioned the work of certain bookstores in Podgorica, which are owned by the Capital City, and appealed for them to be trained for business.
Popović said that stories about the budget are boring to citizens, because they don't "understand a lot of things that are clear to us economists". He believes that it is more important to simplify the terms, so that all citizens understand what the members of the city parliament are talking about.
The councilors finished the discussion on the proposal for the final account of the budget of Podgorica.
Ranka Otašević (Movement for Podgorica) pointed out that there are opportunities to improve the situation.
"In the area of real estate tax collection, I am of the opinion that a lot could be improved in order to increase the revenue side of the budget in the capital... I have not noticed that anyone is submitting an initiative to improve the source of revenue," Otašević said.
Vasilije Čarapić (head of the Evropa Sad councilors' club) pointed out that income growth is very important. He said that, due to the transition to Eurocodes, the implementation of projects is delayed. He pointed out that it is very important that revenues have increased.
"Podgorica will develop accordingly. This year, for example, there was a large VAT refund..., which stimulated the economy. The complementarity of state policy and the capital city is very good..." said Čarapić.
Popović assessed that the story about the final budget is "very boring for the citizens".
"If you manage to achieve savings of 33 million euros, then you are a really successful host," said Popović, adding "that the opposition's story about excessive employment in the capital is not true."
Mitar Vuković (Democrats) said that revenues have increased and expenses have decreased, which is "domestic business".
Stefan Vešović (Prava Montenegro) said that Spadijer "planned income a little more conservatively".
"I am of the opinion that it is better to do things and projects more thoroughly. Otherwise, we will get a new City Theater..., which will be operated indefinitely," assessed Vešović.
Klikovac reminded Vešović that "they had a budget rebalance for 2023". He reminded that funds are withdrawn based on budget units. He pointed out that he is not a populist who opposes official trips, but only on the condition that they are useful for the capital and citizens of Podgorica.
Independent councilor Aleksandar-Saša Zekovć asked Špadijer if it is possible to change the existing practice that "almost no services are delivered to the end and on time" from the paid fee for communal equipment.
"They ask if that money is used to pay wages in the Capital City system or if it is spent in another, inadequate way," Zeković said.
Nađa Ljiljanić (Movement for Podgorica) said that they should return to the items on the agenda.
"As we all said, the citizens will answer in the elections who did what, who won't come back again... With provocations, we only confuse the citizens and show a reflection that does not befit this House", assessed Ljiljanić.
Balša Špadijer, Acting Secretary of the Secretariat for Financial Affairs and Budget Analysis, said that Podgorica's budget was around 105 million euros last year.
"The ceded revenues were realized in the amount of 37 million euros. The financing of budget expenditures was carried out from real sources and stable financing of city services was established..." said Špadijer.
Andrija Klikovac (DPS) said that Podgorica's finances are stable and that revenues are growing.
"A better budget plan must be made, in order to have better indicators. I am worried about the poor implementation of the capital budget... This is a very bad implementation. The question arises - If we have good revenue collection, and as a local government, we are obliged to create better conditions for the citizens life, why doesn't it happen for a year", said Klikovac.
He said that the capital, in the coming period, should devote itself to large-scale projects, because, as Klikovac points out, there is money for that.
"We are lucky that there is a will of the European partners to keep the funds at the level of Podgorica, and those funds are not small. For a year, we did nothing about it," he assessed.
The President of the Assembly Jelena Borovinić Bojović said that "given that they are in the campaign", the discussions will be "limited in the direction and focus of the agenda items".
"The heads of the clubs discuss with one councilor from each club. One club member will comment on the discussion. We will limit, strictly according to the rules of procedure, replies and all other comments," explained Borovinić Bojović.
Councilor Miloš Mašković said that he would remove the point of dismissing Mayor Olivera Injac from the agenda.
"So, we submitted this initiative as one of the mechanisms for those who at that moment were willing to go to early local elections. We are withdrawing this initiative from the agenda, so as not to burden the citizens with the discussion..." said Mašković. .
He said that Injac was "protecting Vladimir Dajković" and pointed out that he had not submitted proof of his education and reports "on business trips".
Borovinić Bojović withdrew the proposal on appointing the deputy mayor of the Capital City.
Andrija Klikovac (DPS) said that he did not want to endanger the "political race of Injac", and that is why that councilor club withdrew the proposal for her dismissal.
Bonus video:
