Zenica City Budget Adopted: Conditions Created for Financial Unblocking

ZENICA, (Patria) - The 48th session of the Zenica City Council was held today. The Draft Budget of the City of Zenica for 2020 was adopted. Total planned revenues and receipts in the Draft Budget for 2020 amount to BAM 60,595,980.00. The Budget structure consists of City revenues and receipts planned in the amount of BAM 51,617,980.00 and received transfers from other levels of government, earmarked funds planned in the amount of BAM 8,978,000.00.

Budget funds for capital and current maintenance of kindergartens, construction of the primary gas pipeline, reconstruction and capital maintenance of the road network, and reconstruction and capital maintenance of business premises and community centers have been increased. Also, allocations for financing the work of JU Home for Families Zenica, the winter service on city streets, local and categorized roads, as well as funds for culture have been increased.

New positions have been opened in the Zenica City Budget for 2020 related to financing the work of JKP Zenicatrans-prevoz putnika d.d. Zenica in the amount of BAM 1,000,000.00, compensation to individuals for each newborn child in the amount of BAM 300,000.00, co-financing the construction of the Javorje memorial in the amount of BAM 100,000.00, and assistance to children with special needs in the City of Zenica in the amount of BAM 50,000.00.

City councilors were against including the Initiative on introducing new technologies into the election process, which was the proposal of Mayor Fuad Kasumović to supplement the agenda.

"The City Administration, with me at the helm, has been discussing the Draft Budget for 2020 for days, for months. Finally, we have found common ground. The budget was adopted unanimously. I take this opportunity to apologize to all citizens for the situation they have endured for the past two months. I believe that those who kept the City blocked should not have done so," said Mayor Fuad Kasumović.

The Mayor called on councilors to engage more in resolving issues of great importance to the citizens of Zenica and stated that about 60 items from the Work Program of the Zenica City Council are awaiting consideration. Payments of earmarked funds for mothers, child benefit recipients, housing, alternative accommodation, and medical assistance are expected from Tuesday.