The city of Metković owes 12 million 800 thousand kuna, which is almost half of the budget. The young city government, led by Mayor Božo Petrov, has decided on austerity and debt repayment. As reported by HRT, they first reached into their own pockets.
Božo Petrov opted for the most unpopular measure first – a hit to the pocket. And that hit is first to his own! He reduced his salary, as well as the salaries of city department heads, by a third. Immediately, the debt of three salaries to employees in kindergartens and other city services was reduced to two.
The figure of one and a half million kuna that we saved in these two months speaks for itself and justifies the reasons why we did it. This measure has yielded results, and I hope it will also open up opportunities for some long-term, higher-quality entrepreneurial moves, said the Mayor of Metković.
The vice mayors and city councilors will receive only one kuna per month for their work. However, as Nikola Oršulić, an opposition councilor (HDZ), stated, nothing will be achieved in the long term without investments, projects, and new employment.
The people of Metković are glad that this has not remained just a mere pre-election promise. Some say that state leaders should follow this example. And if they were to listen and heed, much more serious measures and actions are needed for the salvation of the state, as well as this city.
