Some of the fees will be increased from 80 percent to as
much as 400 percent. Discretionary services are those that ratepayers go to
council for, such as building plan approvals, shop licences, stadiums and hall
hire and leases for council property. The local authority will not increase
rates for refuse and water.
A proposed schedule seen by The Herald showed that all
building plans submitted in terms of section 5 (1) of Chapter 2 of the Model
Building by-laws, 1977, would be charged a fee of $5 for every $100 of the
estimated cost of the building provided that the minimum fee would be $40.
Commercial and industrial properties would attract a fee of
$10 per every $100, with the minimum fee set at $100.
Commencing work without approved building plans would
attract a penalty of $2 000 for low density, $1 000 for high density,
commercial/industrial $5 000 and any other structure $500.
Prints of survey office standard plans and other charges
would be fixed by the director of works in consultation with the finance
director from time-to-time.
Search fees would be increased from $23 to $50,
photocopying A4 bond from $4 to $20, photocopying A3 bond from $5 to $15, while
second Indication of Survey Beacons will be charged at $700 up from $400 for
low density areas and $400 for high density stands up from $175.
Fruits, vegetables and herbs vendors at Mbare Market are
going to pay $100 up from $15, those dealing with sacks, plastics, tobacco and
snuff were going to pay $50 up from $10.
Operating a hardware in Machipisa would attract a fee of
$150 up from $20.
The city is also proposing new tariffs for the hire of its
stadiums and recreational facilities.
The proposed hire charges for Rufaro Stadium by ZIFA and
Premier Soccer League would attract a fee of $400 up from $300, political
parties, promoters and musicians would pay $1 400 up from $1 200.
Proposed hire charges for Gwanzura Stadium would be $180
for ZIFA, PSL and international matches up from $50, while hiring City Sports
Centre for sporting activities would cost $150 up from $100, while churches
would be charged $2 000 from $1 000 for hiring the venue for eight hours.
Private functions and political gatherings at City Sports
Centre would be charged $2 500 up from $1 500, while musical shows would now
attract a fee of $3 000 up from $1 000.
The proposed tariffs were expected to be confirmed at a
Special Council meeting to be held this week.
City’s corporate communications manager Mr Michael Chideme
confirmed the development, saying council had decided to maintain the billed
fees at their present rates because they were for a basic need.
“We realise that those are basics that people need
everyday,” he said. “What we are under pressure to increase now are charges for
on demand services like the fees for the housing waiting list and other
attendant fees.
“We realise people are hard pressed and we cannot increase
their rates because they will not be able to pay them, but services that people
want to be done instantly are the ones we are proposing to increase.”
Mr Chideme said council was charging below market rates for
leases of its offices and apartments. Herald
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