Visit-Montenegro.com: Kankaras – We hold up well

Tivat – “Though the revenues collected from tax on selling property and utility charges were sharply cut down due to the economic crisis and legislation changes, we managed to maintain the stability of the budget and to fulfill obligations towards budget users and business associates in the worst financial times. Realization rate of the annual budget is 36% at the moment” – the Mayor of Tivat, Dragan Kankaras said at the press conference, which is the first time he addressed the media after almost six months.

He presented the current affairs and affairs of the local administration after his second term of office starting from April.

“Revenues from utility charges and tax on selling property were reduced by only 20% when compared to expected revenues, but this was partially compensated by intensified efforts to collect other charges and outstanding debts in the municipality” – Kankaras noted.

“We are not indebted. We run a stable business and we regularly meet all our obligations concerning infrastructure projects. We act in accordance with the capital budget and we will not depature from it”- the Mayor said adding that the first phase of construction of the sewage system is on trial use.

As Kankaras says, next week, they will sign the contract on second phase of construction works with the best bidder “Pfeifer”. This contract is worth EUR 5.5 million.

The problems between Water Company and “Hidromont Merkur” are solved, so it is expected that additional water supplies from wells, in Grbaljsko polje, owned by “Merkur” are to be connected to the water supply system of the southern part of Tivat.

Local services will still be supplied with technical equipment, so the Fire Department in Tivat will get new fire-fighting vehicle “Scania” worth EUR 150 thousand within twenty days. Water Company will get new “Canal Jet”, a truck used for maintenance of sewage system worth EUR 300 thousand. The first development phase of the promenade by the city beach is over, and the second phase is scheduled for autumn. Concept solution for development of the city quay “Pina” is prepared and the quay should soon be transformed into pedestrian area. Projects on building additional wing of the kindergarten “Bambi” downtown and new facility of the Music School are prepared and they will be submitted the Directorate of Public Works which will provide funds for the construction works. Firms were invited to tender for the construction of the new settlement of Lukovica Barake next week.

The tender for constructing of open air swimming pool is cancelled and another will be invited after modifications of the project. Negotiations with the company “Blue Line”, which is a future strategic partner for construction of new bus station on Zupa, are in progress.

“This is a modern facility with nine bus platforms, underground parking lots, one small hotel exclusively for accommodation of bus drivers and air crew, tourist information posts, etc.” – Kankaras said adding that Public Location Study for Zupa Bonici should be adopted prior to construction of this object which is worth few million euros. This study includes the bus station location as well as improvised Romany settlement “7 Jul” nearby the station.

Kankaras announced that the Belgrade-based company “Parkinzi i garaze” would be in charge of the development of parking lots and collecting money from parking fees starting from 15th June. Service of using any parking lot along streets of Tivat will be charged.

Street of Tivat will finally be given names, since the multiparty commission made the proposal on naming the streets. The local Parliament will give its opinion on this matter.

By S.L.