Chamwe Kaira
The Swakopmund Municipality has tabled a combined operational and capital budget of about N$704 million for the 2026/2027 financial year, while proposing a 5% increase in municipal service tariffs.
The budget was presented during a council session by management committee chairperson Eddy Angula.
The municipality proposed an operational budget of more than N$600 million and a capital budget of N$104 million.
In the previous financial year, the municipality approved an operational budget of N$602 million and a capital budget of N$131 million.
The new budget reflects a decrease of N$2.7 million in operational spending and N$27.1 million in capital expenditure.
The municipality said the reductions are linked to cost containment measures, improved efficiencies and the reprioritisation of capital projects.
The operational budget will cover employee costs, bulk services, maintenance, administration and other municipal services.
The capital budget will focus on roads, water infrastructure, wastewater systems, solid waste management and other public infrastructure projects.
The municipality said the capital programme remains focused on infrastructure renewal and replacement of ageing assets.
Management has proposed tariff increases of between 3% and 5% to deal with rising service delivery costs and inflation.
The 5% increase will apply to water consumption, wastewater services, refuse removal, fire brigade levies, town hall rentals and sports facility rentals.
The municipality also proposed that changes to rates and taxes only be considered after approval of the 2025 general valuation roll.
Tariffs for senior citizens are expected to remain unchanged.
The budget will be funded through service tariffs, its own revenue, grants and internal funding sources.
The municipality identified revenue collection challenges, inflation and delays in capital projects as key risks facing the new financial year.
It said measures such as tighter spending controls, improved debt collection and stronger project monitoring systems are being introduced to address the risks.
The budget is now before council for consideration and approval.
