​The Draft Budget for the financial year 2020/21 which was duly adopted by municipal council on the 26th of March 2020 is now available o the municipal website for public inputs and comments.Municipal council has adopted a total draft budget of R1,5billion with an allocation of R1.2billion to operational budget and a capital budget allocation of more than R267million. This draft budget is seeking to strike a balance between on-going service delivery imperatives of water and sanitation services while also responding to the developmental challenges confronting our district.The tabling of this draft budget takes place at a time when our country is facing tough economic times compounded by the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19. And it is without doubt that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic will have an adverse impact on our developing economy following the country’s downgrade to junk status by ratings agencies resulting in a severe depreciation of the rand compared to other major global currencies.And based on these considerations, the proposed tariff increases for the upcoming financial year have been maintained at a minimal rate to provide relief to our residents during this period. The tariff increases are driven by the following major broad considerations: Input costs from our suppliers i.e. Eskom tariff increase of 9.41%; Umgeni Water tariff increase of above 9% on bulk water supply and Staff Salary increment of 6,25% as per the existing multi-year Collective Agreement.A proposed tariff increment of 8% for water and sanitation services will be levied to all our consumers from the 1st of July 2020.The Draft Budget is available on the municipal website; www.ugu.gov.za and residents are encouraged to make their inputs on the proposed budget before 11 May 2020 through email: budget@ugu.websitesupport.co.za.ISSUED BY:UGU DISTRICT MUNICIPALITYFor more information and media queries contact:Municipal SpokespersonMr France ZamaFrance.Zama@ugu.websitesupport.co.za