Tanju Özcan announces Bolu Municipality's debt

Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan evaluated the municipality's financial situation during his speech at the introduction of the 100th Year Republic Park and the opening of the Cemetery Affairs Directorate Service Building and Condolence House.

Özcan stated that the municipality they took over in 2009 was facing 44 million 807 thousand dollars in revenue and 82 million 132 thousand dollars in debt. Today, he expressed that if the dollar exchange rate remains at the 42 lira level, the municipality's revenue will reach 95 million dollars by the end of 2025, and the debt will fall to 15 million 153 thousand dollars. In this case, he emphasized that the municipality's debt would only be 16 percent of its revenue.

Stating that the municipality has grown by 107 percent in dollar terms since 2019, Özcan said he requested an appointment from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance but that this request was not met. He voiced his criticisms by saying, "They cannot manage it, but they also do not ask those who can, 'How did you succeed?'"

Expressing that the municipality has taken significant steps in road and infrastructure investments, Özcan noted that they increased the length of zoning roads from 600 kilometers to 1000 kilometers and laid 143 kilometers of asphalt in 2023. He said the number of parks has risen from 150 to 245 and the amount of green space per capita has increased from 10 square meters to 24 square meters. He emphasized financial discipline by saying, "We used the citizens' money more frugally than our own money."

Özcan added that they pay municipal employees' salaries on time and have tripled social assistance. Stating that the newly opened 100th Year Republic Park will be Bolu's largest park, Özcan announced that the park will feature various amenities such as a pond, water sports, accommodation areas, and islands for social events. Furthermore, he jokingly suggested that CHP and AKP deputies could compete in the Survivor Park to be built in the park.

Finally, stating that Bolu is currently represented by one deputy in Ankara but will be represented by at least two deputies in the future, Özcan thanked the public for their support.

News Source: 12punto