City of Banja Luka Budget 252 Million KM, Stanivuković Follows Dodik's Footsteps

(Patria) - The public debate on the Draft Budget of the City of Banja Luka will last until April 15. A record budget for this year has been proposed in the amount of 252 million marks, which is 19.3 percent more than last year.

Some councilors in the City Assembly have criticized the Mayor of Banja Luka for increasing his budget by more than three times compared to the previous one. Despite the criticisms, the Draft Budget was unanimously adopted.

The Mayor of Banja Luka boasted about the largest budget in the city's history, as well as significant projects, such as the bridge in the Dolac settlement, the Tunjice water supply, and the "Predah" house for children with developmental disabilities. He also explained the loan request of 30 million marks.

"We said that we have repaid over 60 million in other people's loans, that Banja Luka has repaid twice as many loans as it needed that amount of money," says the Mayor of Banja Luka, Draško Stanivuković.

When the mayor saw that he could not smooth over his poor performance and obligations not included in the budget through rebalancing, he increased his budget to service previous debts, says the President of the Banja Luka City Assembly.

"Unpaid obligations from 2023/2024 will be accounted for as expenses in 2025, and the mayor's huge loan request of over 30 million marks," states Ljubo Ninković, President of the Banja Luka City Assembly.

Opposition councilors criticized the reduction in subsidies for the economy, the budget for culture and sports, as well as the increase in the mayor's budget. They are demanding the urgent construction of vertical parking lots and a collector for wastewater treatment.

"The allocated funds for culture are 0.38 percent. This is a disgrace. From 293,000 to 974,000 KM is a 3.3-fold increase in the mayor's budget," points out Igor Mandić, councilor of the List for Justice and Order.

"The city is in temporary financing, which means the nose is above water, and many functions are underwater," states Igor Radojičić, councilor of the Independent Movement "On Our Own Way".

Analysts note an analogy in the significant budget increase - after the President of Republika Srpska, the Mayor of Banja Luka did the same.

"If certain categories need him to appear as a savior and thus buy political points in society. It is certainly interesting and what catches the eye and ear is that such a budget for the mayor was approved unanimously and without significant opposition," notes political analyst Mladen Bubonjić.

The information on the city's debt stated that Banja Luka's total debt in the first half of last year amounted to 118.3 million marks.