City council members cannot agree on reimbursement issue

Lado Bichashvili, Shida Kartli 

Gori City Council members still cannot agree on the reimbursement amount, necessary for the implementation of their duties. According to the deputy from United National Movement Mindia Goderdzilshvili, Georgian Dream member values freedom of deputies very low. Deputies from opposition parties complain about twice-rejected resolution by the majority members of the City Council; the resolution had to regulate reimbursement of the expenses for deputies. 

 

Mindia Goderdzilshvili, deputy from the UNM: “If reimbursement is paid, it must be paid to all deputies. We should have some document to support the process, it is acceptable for us. We do not demand 500, 700 or 1000 GEL; the amount should be relevant to the implemented work.”  

Before the session at the City Council, two versions of the resolution were discussed at bureau session.  According to the first version, every deputy should receive 500 lari for the reimbursement of their monthly expenses; according to the second one, only those deputies can get reimbursement, who do not occupy paid positions in the city council. Only 5 out of 15 council members are without positions. The second version also required deputies to confirm meeting with voters by signature. Part of deputies felt themselves insulted with the last requirement. 

Ilia Metreveli, chairman of the fraction “Georgian party”: We meet voters and try to resolve their problems, but at the same time, when we ask them to write their names on application papers, they refuse; they feel inconvenient with it.”  

Chairman of the City Council Papuna Koberidze imposes responsibility for twice rejected resolution on deputies: “Deputies could easily make decision.  Initially we negotiated about 500 Lari. Every expenditure must be justified.” 

The issue was already discussed at the session of the Gori municipal board; finally, with majority of votes they decided to pay 500 lari reimbursement to the deputies, who do not occupy positions in the municipal board; the reimbursement will be paid based on the valid financial documents. The noise followed the session about reimbursement issue at the Kaspi municipal board; they protested abolition of 500 Lari reimbursement. 

Despite the protests and noisy sessions at Gori City Council, deputies of Kaspi municipal board will also have to discuss the issue of reimbursement at the next session.