The project to build a wastewater treatment plant (collector) is proceeding at a steady pace and we believe that it will be implemented, and in the event that this does not happen, the Capital City will exercise its right to appeal, as well as to arbitration.
This was stated yesterday, during the central discussion on the Draft Decision on the Capital City Budget for 2026, by the Secretary of the Secretariat for Financial Affairs and Budget Analysis. Balša Spadijer.
According to him, Podgorica's budget for next year is planned to be more than 160 million, while more than 17 million euros are planned for the construction of the collector in Botun. The construction of this facility has been opposed by the residents of Botun for years.
Špadier announced that the financing of the Capital City next year will rely on its own revenues.
The draft decision on the budget of the Capital City for the coming year was put up for public debate last week, and the central discussion on that document yesterday was attended by civic activists, councilors, directors of several companies, and citizens.
According to the Draft, the capital city's credit debt will amount to eight million, and that money, Špadijer points out, will be directed towards the construction of an above-ground garage.
The planned income from real estate taxes is around 16,6 million, while the projection is that 15,8 million euros will flow into the city treasury from communal equipment and urban rehabilitation.
An amount of almost 4,9 million euros has been planned for cultural and sports institutions, and these expenditures, claims Špadijer, are 600.000 euros higher than this year's budget.
Councillor of the European Union Budimir Mugoša He asked why 2,5 million euros were allocated for Vojislavljević Boulevard, and when the road would be completed.
"RTV 'Podgorica' would not receive a single euro if the position of 51 percent of its own production was respected. The Citizens' Service is still taking more than 200.000 euros from the budget. I would like to see what the Service has done so far," he said. Špadijer said that the first phase of Vojislavljević Boulevard is being worked on intensively, and that he expects "a temporary situation to be established soon" in that part of the city.
"Next year, we expect the second phase to be implemented. The capital city is acting as a co-financier of this project. Our projection is that the complete construction of Vojislavljević Boulevard will cost 5,3 million euros," said Špadijer, adding that the Citizens' Service regularly submits work reports to the city administration.
Citizen Radmila Radenović She asked how much the municipality had allocated for people with disabilities (PWDs) and children.
Špadijer said that the Capital City, through competitions with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is providing more funds, and that they are planning to purchase vehicles for transporting people with disabilities.
"I believe that with these funds we will be able to support these activities. The funds are increasing, but they are not always enough to cover everything," said Špadijer.
Civic activist Aleksandar Dragićević He said that he did not know why “only 2,8 million euros were allocated for the operation of 'Čistoća'.” He said that this company is “the basis of waste management in the Capital City.”
"I didn't see an item in the budget that would deal with strategies to improve the work of 'Čistoća'. The machines are very worn out. It is important for us to have reliable machines and people to service them. Every year, 'Čistoća' has to buy ten, fifteen or twenty new vehicles," he said.
Špadier replied that they recognized "Čistoća" as a company of special importance, and that it was "the largest in the municipal sector" of the capital.
"The prices of their services should be at a higher level. The capital cannot pay severance pay for employees in commercial companies. This should be done through special decisions...", explained the secretary.
Responding to a journalist's question about how much money the city administration invests in official trips for employees and some councilors, Špadijer replied that "when it comes to that, there is a procedure."
"If it's an official trip abroad, it's approved by the mayor." Saša Mujović". Per diems are paid for official travel, so it is necessary to justify them through documentation. The capital does not track these official trips, but they are financed only for employees in the city administration," explained Špadijer, adding that the costs of official travel for employees are "on the decline."
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