Finance

We operate strictly within the bounds of the Rural District Councils Act and the Public Finance Management Act. Our department’s functions are divided into four main areas:

1. Revenue Collection and Billing

We manage the assessment, billing, and collection of all council revenues, striving to make payment processes as convenient as possible for our residents and business community.

• Rates and Levies: Collecting unit tax from farmers, development levies, and property rates from residential, commercial, and industrial property owners.

• Service Charges: Billing for utilities and services provided by the council, including water delivery, refuse collection, and lease rentals.

• Licensing and Fees: Processing payments for business licenses, vendor permits, natural resource abstraction permits, and plan approval fees.

• Digital Integration: Upgrading our billing systems to support mobile money (EcoCash, OneMoney), direct bank transfers, and point-of-sale (POS) systems at our sub-offices to reduce queuing times.

2. Budgeting and Financial Planning

We are responsible for the financial blueprint that guides the district’s annual development and service delivery targets.

• Annual Budget Formulation: Spearheading the drafting of the council’s annual budget. This involves extensive consultations with residents, traditional leaders, and the business community across all 29 wards to ensure public needs are prioritized.

• Budget Control: Monitoring the execution of the budget throughout the financial year, ensuring that departments do not exceed their allocated funds and that resources are used efficiently.

• Tariff Formulation: Regularly reviewing and proposing fair, cost-recovery tariffs for council services, subject to approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

3. Expenditure and Treasury Management

We manage the safe and efficient outflow of funds to ensure the council meets its operational and developmental obligations.

• Creditors and Payments: Processing payments to suppliers, contractors, and service providers accurately and on time.

4. Accounting and Compliance

Transparency is our watchword. We maintain rigorous financial records to ensure accountability to the government and the people of Muzarabani.

• Financial Reporting: Preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to track the financial health of the council.

• Asset Register: Maintaining an accurate, updated financial valuation of all council assets, including land, buildings, vehicles, and equipment.