Durban residents face the prospect of rates and electricity increases of below six percent for the year ahead, with water tariffs likely to be contained to under eight percent.
This is the thrust of the eThekwini Municipality's record draft 2005/06 R12,3-billion budget - representing a R1,6-billion increase over last year's budget of R10,7-billion.
The budget seeks to address the city's housing backlog by building 16 000 houses, while also focusing on the provision of basic services like electricity, water and sanitation.
eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba is expected to present the draft budget at a council meeting early next week.
Later in the week, public hearings will be held at the Durban City Hall where the people of the metropolitan area will be able to comment and discuss all aspects of the budget.
The final budget is expected to be released at the end of April.
The draft budget consists of R2,7-billion in proposed capital expenditure and R9,6-billion in operating costs.
Mlaba said the key issue was to keep increases down. "In respect of electricity and rates, we are striving to keep increases at below six percent, and the increase in water tariffs to below eight percent.
"The budget is always a difficult juggling act, particularly as we are in the development phase of local government. Tough choices have to be made between social and economic expenditure, and the city is blessed with the ability to strike the balance and mix to stimulate the economy," he said.
The biggest slice of the budget will go to housing, with R964,1-million being set aside for the provision of low-cost units. The primary objective is to build 16 000 houses.
This is in line with the city's policy of clearing slums by 2010 and accelerating the delivery of houses.
As part of the city's strategy to roll out infrastructure in historically under-serviced areas, the municipality will build a R25,2-million substation at Gateway to provide electricity.
The R17,6-million for crime prevention will add impetus to the already successful safer cities programme.
The draft budget also makes provision for the rehabilitation of major roads and a total of R75-million will be used for the upgrading of the western and southern freeways. Rural roads will also receive attention, with R51,6-million set aside for the rehabilitation of access roads.
To stimulate economic growth, create jobs and boost investor confidence, the city will concentrate on three flagship projects for 2005/06 capital budget.
About R20-million has been injected into the Point precinct development, R150-million into the expansion of the Durban International Convention Centre and R45,6-million for the Riverhorse industrial project.
About R21,8-million has been made available for the provision of cemeteries, community halls and clinics.
Nomusa Dube, the speaker of the council, urged the public to participate in the process of public hearings.
"We encourage all the people of eThekwini to engage with us over the next three weeks," Dube said.
"I would like to see your ideas and tips forwarded to us so that when we finalise this budget at the end of April, it also reflects some of your thinking.
"The people must eventually determine what goes into the budget. Tell us what you think. Tell us how we should be spending your money."