Have Your Say! City of Cape Town’s draft budget up for comment

The City of Cape Town has released its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year. The budget is presented under the theme “Invested in Hope” and details the city’s proposed financial plans.

The total proposed budget is R84.1 billion, allocated to both operating and capital expenditure. Operating expenditure is projected at R71.3 billion and is designated for the city’s daily operational costs, including service delivery and infrastructure maintenance. The capital expenditure budget is proposed at R12.7 billion, intended for investments in areas such as land, community facilities, and infrastructure projects.

The city’s capital investment is projected to increase, with the capital expenditure budget showing growth over recent years. The budget outlines specific focus areas for capital expenditure, including vehicles and plant, safety and security resources, energy generation, transport infrastructure, water programs, and housing developments.

The budget includes a social package with a proposed allocation of R5.2 billion. Proposed rebates are also detailed, addressing property rates and tariffs for services such as water, sanitation, and electricity. These rebates vary based on property value and household income.

The budget proposes adjustments to tariffs. The average increases are 7.96% for property rates, 2.00% for electricity, varied for water and sanitation, and 7.36% for refuse. The city indicates that tariff reforms and restructuring are part of the budget, with changes to the structure of water and sanitation charges, and electricity tariffs.

The presentation includes “Wheel of Value” graphics to illustrate the allocation of funds from property rates, water and sanitation tariffs, electricity tariffs, and refuse collection and cleansing fees across different city services.

The City of Cape Town is soliciting public comment on the draft budget. The deadline for submissions is May 2, 2025. Information is provided on how residents can access a Rates and Tariffs calculator and submit their feedback through various channels.

To read the budget for yourself, please click HERE 

To have your say and comment on the budget, please click HERE