Budget finally passes

Hod Hasharon's troubled 2008 budget has finally been passed after a long and intense debate.

By MIRIAM BULWAR DAVID-HAY (TRANSLATED)
Hod Hasharon's troubled 2008 budget has finally been passed after a long and intense debate, reports www.local.co.il. The NIS 293 million budget - NIS 31 million more than in 2007 - had been held up over opposition demands for cuts in senior municipal salaries and in vehicle benefits, in the city's allowance for celebrations and events, and in the budget for the city's public relations department. According to the report, coalition and opposition councilors have been occupied since last week in protracted discussions over the proposed budget, with opposition members demanding a cut of some NIS 5.5 million in senior salaries, a halving of the budget for celebrations and events, and other cuts. Eventually, a compromise was reached and a majority of councilors voted for the budget.