PART 2 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
2.6 OVERVIEW OF BUDGET FUNDING
2.6.3. Funding compliance measurement
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surplus/deficit is achieved by offsetting the amount of depreciation related to externally funded assets.
Municipalities need to assess the result of this calculation taking into consideration its own circumstances and levels of backlogs. If the outcome is a deficit, it may indicate that rates and service charges are insufficient to ensure that the community is making an enough contribution toward the economic benefits they are consuming over the medium term. For the 2020/21 MTB the indicative outcome is a surplus of R1.9 billion, R2.7 billion and R3.4 billion before capital transfers and taxation.
2.6.3.4. Cash receipts as a percentage of ratepayer and other revenue
This factor is a macro measure of the rate at which funds are ‘collected’. This measure is intended to analyse the underlying assumed collection rate for the MTB to determine the relevance and credibility of the budget assumptions contained in the budget. The outcome is at 91.6, 91.7 and 91.8 percent for each of the respective financial years. This measure and performance objective will have to be meticulously managed.
2.6.3.5. Borrowing as a percentage of capital expenditure (excluding transfers, grants and contributions)
The purpose of this measurement is to determine the proportion of a municipality’s ‘own-funded’ capital expenditure budget that is being funded from borrowed funds to confirm MFMA compliance. Externally funded expenditure (by transfers/grants and contributions) has been excluded. The liquidity of the City has improved and therefore the City has increased the spending from own funds.
2.6.3.6. Transfers/grants revenue as a percentage of Government transfers/grants available
The purpose of this measurement is mainly to ensure that all available transfers from national and provincial government have been budgeted for. A percentage less than 100 percent could indicate that not all grants as contained in the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) have been budgeted for. The City has budgeted for all transfers.
2.6.3.7. Consumer debtors change (Current and Non-current)
The purpose of these measures is to ascertain whether budgeted reductions in outstanding debtors are realistic. There are two measures shown for this factor: the change in current debtors and the change in long term receivables, both from the Budgeted Financial Position.
2.6.3.8. Repairs and maintenance expenditure level
This measure must be considered important within the context of the funding measures criteria because a trend that indicates insufficient funds are being committed to asset repair could also indicate that the revenue budget is not being protected.
2.6.3.9.Asset renewal/rehabilitation expenditure level
This measure has a similar objective to aforementioned objective relating to repairs and maintenance. A requirement of the detailed capital budget (since MFMA Circular 28 which was issued in December 2005) is to categorize each capital project as a new asset or a renewal/rehabilitation project. The objective is to summarise and understand the proportion of budgets being provided for new assets and asset sustainability.
Further details in this regard are contained in Table SA34b.
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Legislation compliance status
The promulgation of the Municipal Finance Management Act (The Act) in 2003 has brought in proficiency and control measures to local government in terms of budgeting, monitoring and accounting on public funds. The Act has had a profound effect on local government operations that required transformation in financial discipline and planning processes. The budget preparation for the 2020/21- 2021/22 medium term complies with most of these key requirements.
The Act has created clear reporting standards for local government that conforms to international standards. In addition to providing for improved reporting by local government, the Act stipulates that new accounting and financial standards must be complied with.
Compliance with MFMA implementation requirements has been substantially adhered to through the following activities:
a) In- year reporting
The City’s electronic reporting to National Treasury has been complied with and has also improved over time. The monthly and quarterly returns to NT have been submitted on time.
b) MFMA training
The City of Johannesburg, in its strides to comply with the Act, has in its plan of compliance instructed departments to train all finance and non-finance officials on MFMA from 2005. This has resulted in mass training programme for officials in all sectors including the municipal entities. This massive training schedule was also boosted by the online training provided by National Treasury. Compliance on all critical elements of the MFMA is enhanced due the fact that most officials are aware of the Act.
c) Accounting standards
The reform agenda set out through the Municipal Finance Management Act includes new accounting standards, which includes national standards such as Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) and Generally Accepted Municipal Accounting Practice (GAMAP). The above-mentioned accounting practices have been adhered to during the development of the budget.
The City’s consolidated financial statements were prepared to comply with GAMAP since the 2004/05 financial year. The municipal entities financial statements were also prepared in line with GAAP.
d) Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations
Budgeting in the CoJ is done in accordance with the MFMA: Municipal Budget and Reporting
Regulations promulgated in 2009. Other directives from the National Treasury, for example in the form of budget circulars, are also taken into cognizance.
e) Budget and Treasury Office
The Budget and Treasury Office has been established in accordance with the MFMA.
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f) Audit Committee
An Audit Committee has been established and is fully functional.
g) Annual Report
Annual report is compiled in terms of the MFMA and NT requirements.
h) SDBIP
The detail SDBIP is directly aligned and informed by the budget and is approved together with the budget.
i) Budget Steering Committee
A Budget Steering Committee has been established in accordance with MBRR and is fully functional.
j) Alignment of Budget with development priorities
There is clear linkage between the budget and the IDP. In turn, the IDP is developed from the GDS and Mayoral priorities. The City is implementing programme budgeting to ensure that the development programmes identified in the IDP are appropriately funded.
k) Public participation
In accordance with the Act, the City’s draft budget is made public immediately after tabling in Council to allow for the public to comment on it. The budget has a strong political oversight.
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