City of Banja Luka budget adopted, pensioners to receive 100 KM

(Patria) - The budget of the City of Banja Luka for the next year, amounting to 169.7 million KM, was adopted tonight at the ninth session of the City Assembly.

The budget was adopted with 27 votes "for" and two abstentions.

A consensus was reached between the majority, which proposed amendments to the city budget, perhaps the most important of which is 100 KM for pensioners for electricity stimulation, and the mayor Draško Stanivuković during a break in the session to reach an agreement and adopt the budget.

Stanivuković told reporters that the session passed in a good environment and atmosphere, unlike some previous ones.

"The budget is in the amount of almost 170 million KM without a single credit debt, and it has room for all policies and all citizens. Among others, there are four bridges, six road directions, free public transport for some citizens, co-financing of private kindergartens, park construction, and others," said Stanivuković.

He emphasized that all councilors are happy and satisfied with this agreement.

"The amendments for 100 KM for pensioners remain, and without them, there would be no budget. We reached an agreement on property taxes, which is about four million KM in the city's account," said Stanivuković.

Mladen Ilić, President of the City Assembly, said that all agreements between political parties were coordinated during one of the breaks.

"The mayor will accept the amendments, and they will be an integral part of the budget for the next year. Banja Luka will enter the new year with a budget. I believe that all of us together, after many sessions and meetings, have managed to reach an agreement, and with what we have done, we are sending a good message to the public," emphasized Ilić.

He believes that the City Assembly sessions will continue next year in this rhythm and added that this is an example of how parliament should function.

Dragoslav Topić, head of the SNSD Councilors' Club in the City Assembly, said he is glad that a compromise has been reached and that this was missing in some previous sessions.

"We have reached a partial solution. We are not fully satisfied with the budget and how the City Administration conceived it. We have reached an agreement, and we do not want to hinder the city," concluded Topić, Nezavisne reports.