The City of Windhoek Council will soon start consultations with relevant stakeholders before finalizing its budget for the 2023–2024 financial year.

The council says the budgeting process is an integral part of the annual planning to focus on key projects required by the city.

The current structure dictates that it engages the public, including stakeholders such as the Regional Council and the Ratepayers Association, among others, and sources their input.

Windhoek City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya explains that participatory budgeting has been practiced in the municipality, where all major capital projects emanate directly from resident requests.

The participatory budget involves engaging many stakeholders; the first interaction with broad-based communities occurs at public meetings.

Amutenya says a workshop will be organized where each department will present and defend its budget to the council.

This, she says, will create a better understanding of the Municipal Council of Windhoek's budget.

Council resolved to approve the participatory budgeting process of the Municipal Council of Windhoek and that councilors and officials participating in the budgeting process ensure that stakeholder expectations are managed.

Through these engagements, the councilors and stakeholders are tasked with ensuring that tariff adjustments are kept minimal and taking appropriate initiatives to educate the communities of Windhoek on the intricacies of the Municipal Council of Windhoek's budget estimates.