Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality is a pioneer in savings

Balikesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Akın, immediately after taking office, warned department presidencies and general managers of subsidiaries about savings and announced the ‘Savings Measures’ on Friday, April 24th, which he communicated to all units. Over the past 2 months, a total of 60 million Turkish Lira savings were achieved by all units and subsidiaries adopting a policy of savings.

Upon taking office, Balikesir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Akın received briefings on the operations and expenses from department presidencies and general directorates of subsidiaries. In terms of municipal expenditures, he gave necessary instructions for savings, efficient and effective use of resources in the early days. In line with this, in the month of April, he prepared a list of savings measures and communicated them to all relevant units, listing the measures in 9 headings: Labor Force Planning Savings Measures, Savings Measures to be Taken in the Use of Financial Resources, Savings Measures to be Applied in Electricity Consumption, Savings Measures to be Applied in Water Usage, Savings Measures Related to Vehicle Usage, Savings Measures Related to Internet, Communication and Electronic Systems, Savings Measures Related to Stationery and Fixed Assets Usage, Savings Measures Related to Computer Systems, and Savings Measures to be Applied in Resource Usage.

Avoidance of idle capacity investments

Under the savings measures listed under these headings, there are items such as avoiding investments that exceed the real need amount and idle capacity investments when making investment plans, conducting cost/benefit analysis, direct production or procurement of goods and services, timely payment of electricity, water, and natural gas bills without delay.

All purchases will be made centrally

Additionally, it includes important items such as not issuing new tenders except in mandatory cases, obtaining permission from Secretary-General Naki Çetin on necessary matters, all purchases to be made centrally by the Support Services Department Direct Procurement, Movable, Goods and Warehouses Branch Directorate, and abandoning the practice of representation and promotion allowance in all expenditure units in the budget and allowing it to be used only by the Private Office Directorate.

Ending fuel and paper waste

Emphasis was also placed on the importance of savings with items such as the proper use of service vehicles and construction machinery for their intended purposes, taking necessary steps to reduce fuel consumption of vehicles, using electronic documents whenever possible in all official correspondence, evaluating waste paper and other materials to contribute back to the national economy.

On Wednesday, April 24th, for the implementation of the relevant items communicated to all department presidencies and general directorates of subsidiaries, each unit is being monitored by the deputy secretaries-general to ensure no disruptions occur in terms of financial and other savings measures. Suggestions for the ‘General Report on Savings Measures’ covering recommendations are also submitted to Secretary-General Naki Çetin each month in the second week, specifically indicating each unit.

“We choose savings in expenses”

Since taking office, Mayor Ahmet Akın stated that they have adopted a policy of savings by using the budget and resources of Balikesir Metropolitan Municipality and subsidiaries in the most efficient and effective way, thus saving approximately 60 million Turkish Lira. Mayor Ahmet Akın said, ‘Due to inflation, the cost of all our expenses reaches significantly higher prices compared to the previous year. However, we do not use this as an excuse. We always choose savings in materials and expenses while providing the best service to our city. I instructed the relevant department heads and general directors on savings immediately after taking office. We communicated our savings measures shortly thereafter. There should be no doubt that we will spend these 5 years as the auspicious child of Balikesir Family. We will repay their trust to the fullest extent with our services, investments, and fair governance approach. There should be no doubt about this.’