Own revenues in the budgets of rural executive committees of the Vitebsk region in 2009 will amount to 73.5%

March 25, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The share of own and earmarked revenues in the budgets of rural and settlement executive committees of the Vitebsk region will reach 73.5% in 2009, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies Alexander Atyasov informed a BELTA correspondent. With the adoption of Decree No. 21 of January 12, 2007 "On Enhancing the Role of Local Government and Self-Government Bodies," the system of forming primary level budgets has changed. Now they have 24 revenue sources, including income tax, land tax on real estate, fees from procurement agents, and resort fees remaining at their disposal. In 2008, over Br26 billion was received by primary level budgets, which amounted to 114% of the annual allocations. At the same time, the share of own and earmarked revenues reached 65.1%. Local Councils have used their right to increase land tax and real estate tax rates for certain categories of taxpayers. Another source of revenue will be off-budget funds. This year, they have been established in almost all districts. According to Alexander Atyasov, increasing the sources for budget replenishment stimulates local executive committees to create new enterprises, ensure the stable operation of existing ones, and develop trade, services, and tourism in rural areas. As of March 1 of the current year, own and earmarked revenues of the region's primary level budgets exceeded Br3.5 billion. Their share in the total revenue volume was 77%. Thus, in the region, primary budgets are subsidized by only 23%. As Alexander Atyasov emphasized, local authorities now face an important task: to increase their own revenues, reduce subsidization, and rationally use budget funds. There are 215 primary level Councils of Deputies operating in the Vitebsk region. -0-