Typical Problems of Local Case

The regular session of Bendery town Council of people’s deputies was held. It was attended by deputy of the Supreme Council for the constituency №1 “Solnechny” Alexander Korshunov. The adoption of the town budget for the current year was the main item on the agenda.

The first impressions of the discussion of budget processes at the local level is that inhabitants of the second largest town of Pridnestrovie have the same problems as that of their compatriots living in other administrative-territorial units of the republic. This list is quite long, but acute shortage of budget funds is derivative. To understand the urgency of the situation, it is necessary to use data in the report of the head of Bendery local state administration, deputy of the Supreme Council of the 4th convocation Yuri Gervazyuk presenting the court project's main financial document of the town for this year. Last year, the revenues of the municipal treasury received 197 million rubles (in current planned amount of 203.3 million rubles.), Expenses amounted to 213 million (in 2015 they are 242.3 million rubles). In this case, the amount as of January 1, 2015 amounted to 120 million rubles.

Still the lion's share earned in the territory of Bendery funds spent on payments for socially protected budget items. 175 million rubles will be allocated for these purposes in 2015. Last year, they accounted 79.1% of total expenditure. Such an unenviable position with cash resources of the town makes difficult the solution of urgent, sometimes urgent problems that exist in all spheres of the town economy. The most contentious in adopting of the draft budget Bendery 2015 was the collection and distribution of funds received by the local treasury from the rent for use of municipal property. Last year, this amounted to 4 million 546 thousand Rubles. Arguments were akin to those that are often carried out between members of the Supreme Council and the representatives of the Government, but at the local level.

Taking the opportunity to ask a question directly to the mayor of his native town, deputy of the Supreme Council Alexander Korshunov asked about prospects of urban infrastructure such as stadiums and swimming pool, as well as the school building №1. With regard to the first and the second, they are on the balance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, there is 1 million rubles debt. So, before talking about their future fate, the town must receive them in property, the Government of respective petitions were sent repeatedly. If the issue will be resolved positively, then objects can be put up for auction or to attract investors to cooperate. The situation regarding building of the first school is even more difficult, if not tragic. It sagged considerably in the basement, and possible recovery is very costly procedure. We must be realistic - if there is no money to pay pensions and salaries to state employees in full, and then they are directed for the reconstruction of the building.

By the way, the theme of reducing the standard of living of Bendery, Pridnestrovians often arise in the discussion of the main issue on the agenda of the City Council session Bendery - the adoption of the municipal budget for the current year. 2015 "promises" to be difficult, there is lack of money for the most pressing needs by an even larger amount (and the first two months of the year, this confirmed pessimistic fears). Painful measures taken by the government, of course, may not be popular. But, according to city administrator of Bendery, in this difficult situation in which Pridnestrovie is not the first time, had to choose between "bad" and "very bad", meaning the last devaluation of the national currency.

Taking in account the distress, deputies asked hard questions to the mayor, most of which were reduced to the necessity of prudent, rational use of "crumbs" of budget funds, which today still have the ability to collect taxes and fees. They concerned the reconstruction of the Sovetskaya Street, demolition and trimming trees, purchase of artificial trees to celebrate the New Year (it costs 52 thousand dollars, but it will be used for 15 years), the sources of extra-budgetary fund formation by the head of state administration in Bendery and addresses of its funds spending.

 Voting regarding the adoption of the budget of Bendery 2015 was nominal. Absolute majority of deputies voted in favor of it.