Tbilisi City Council approves 2014 budget

Tbilisi City Council have finally approved the city’s budget for the 2014 year after months of disagreements.

The 2014 Tbilisi city budget is valued at 785 million GEL, with large chunks of money being allocated on improving healthcare, infrastructure and transport. 

At a council session late last night, 43 members participated in the voting process, where 41 voted in favour of approving the budget. Two members abstained from the vote.

Within the budget, 186.6 million GEL on healthcare and social security issues, 156 million GEL will go towards construction of infrastructural objects and reconstruction of damaged buildings and 88 million GEL will be allocated to constructing and restoring transport infrastructure.

A further 69.5 million GEL will be spent on maintaining and improving the ecological situation, more than 64 million GEL will be spent on education, 30 million GEL will go towards the development of the apartment-owners community and 12.5 million will go towards developing the economy and citizen employment.

Finally, 50 million GEL will be allocated to developing sports and youth programs and 23 million GEL will be spent on maintaining public order and security.

Before last night's agreement was reached, officials failed to agree on the 2014 Tbilisi budget. Over the past two months the budget was voted down four times following disagreements between the City Council members and Tbilisi City Hall.