New Municipal budget for 2025-2026 proposed at 300 million dinars
The Municipal Council approved several important decisions during its regular session held today, Monday, which was chaired by Abdullah Al-Mahri.
One of the key items discussed was the draft municipal budget for the fiscal year 2025–2026, which has been set at 300,258,167 dinars.
The Council decided to refer the recommendations from the Environmental Affairs Committee’s workshop on ‘The Environmental System of Jleeb Al-Sheikh: Community Participation between Situation Assessment and Solutions’ to the executive branch of the municipality. This will allow the relevant authorities to address and implement the recommendations made during the workshop.
The Council began its session by reviewing the messages received, which included the presentation of the Municipality’s draft budget for the fiscal year 2025–2026.
During the session, member M. Munira Al-Amir inquired about the date for discussing the budget with the Ministry of Finance. In response, Farhan Al-Ajmi, the Deputy Director General for Finance and Administrative Sector Affairs, explained that a higher committee, led by the Director General of the municipality, had been formed to discuss the draft budget.
The budget was approved last September and sent to the Ministry of Finance after considering the opinions and needs of various sectors. He also emphasized that the municipal council does not have the authority to amend the budget.
Al-Ajmi further added that the municipality’s budget has not yet been approved by the Ministry of Finance, as all ministries send their budget proposals to the ministry for review.
Member Munira Al-Amir inquired about the impact of the ongoing budget discussion, noting that it is currently referred to the Ministry of Finance.
The Director of the Technical Office in the Office of the Minister of Municipality, Counselor Farhan Al-Enzi, clarified that the Municipal Council’s role is limited to discussing the budget and does not have the authority to amend it. However, the Council can make recommendations for consideration in future budgets.
The member Dr. Hassan Kamal, emphasized the importance of investing in human resources by focusing on the rehabilitation and training of employees.
The Board decided to take note of the proposed budget of 300,258,167 dinars.
The Board then proceeded to consider the responses received to members’ questions.
Member M. Sharifa Al-Shalfan raised a concern regarding her question about activating the Gulf building code, which she had submitted over a year ago. She pointed out that although the question was answered two months ago, she believes the municipality has not developed a plan for its implementation and is not serious about applying the code.
Highlights of the session
- The Board approved the request from the General Authority for Roads and Land Transport to allocate a site for a rainwater pumping station in the Nuwaiseeb Chalets area.
- The Board approved the request from the Ministry of Works to add the use of an electric feed transformer within the limits of wastewater tanks in the project to expand the sewage station in the Umm Al-Hayman area.
- The Board approved the proposal by member M. Abdullatif Al-Dai regarding the licensing and classification of subcontractors in private housing buildings.
Source: Al Qabas
