Land plots without contracts cost Odesa region community tens of millions

Auditors in Odesa region found violations in the budget of the Oknyansky village council worth tens of millions of hryvnias. The main problems are related to unregistered land plots, low real estate tax, and inefficient management of educational institutions.

This was reported by the press service of the Southern Office of the State Audit.

Auditors of Odesa Oblast checked the budget of the Oknya village council in Podil district and found deficits worth more than UAH 23 million. Because of them, the community has already lost or may lose significant revenues.

In particular, the village council did not receive more than UAH 5.4 million due to the use of land without title documents and without lease agreements with PJSC "Energy Supply Company Odesaoblenergo". In addition, the reserves of revenues from the lease of vacant land have not been fully utilized: two plots of almost 9 hectares could have received more than UAH 3 million in additional revenues, and the lease of land under forest belts and field roads could have brought in another UAH 1.8 million per year.

Another drawback was the establishment of a real estate tax of 0.1%, while in neighboring communities it is 0.4%. As a result, the local budget lost more than UAH 3.6 million.

The audit also revealed problems in the management of educational institutions: long-term vacancies and inefficient staff planning led to artificial savings in the payroll fund of more than UAH 3.1 million.

In summary, the audit points to weak internal control over budget revenues and expenditures and insufficient coordination between participants in the budget process, which undermines the financial and property interests of the community. Based on the results of the audit, 10 recommendations were provided to the Oknyanska territorial community to improve the efficiency of budgetary funds.

Recently, the NGO "Spilna meta" reported on the intention of the Odesa City Council to give the land of theBlack Sea sanatorium at the 13th station of the Velykyi Fontan for construction. Volunteers believe that the transfer of 6 hectares to the private joint-stock company Platan Plus at 2, 1st Dachny Lane, under the guise of health and recreation facilities, may actually lead to construction.

The CSO called for a public discussion of this issue with the participation of the community, Platan Plus PJSC and Odesa City Council before any decision on the sanatorium's land is made.

Анна Бальчінос