Local government in Kraków
Encyclopedia
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
(known as the Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
) fulfils his duties with the help of the City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, city managers and the city inspectors. Their joint responsibilities include drafting and implementing resolutions, enacting city bylaws, managing city budget as well as its administration, and preparing against floods and natural disaster
Natural disaster
A natural disaster is the effect of a natural hazard . It leads to financial, environmental or human losses...
s.
The city budget of Kraków
The budget of the city of Kraków, which is presented by the Mayor of Kraków on the 15th of November each year, in 2006 had a projected revenue of 2,150 million złoty.The sources of revenue were as follows: 14% from the municipal taxation on real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
properties as well as on the use of amenities
Amenity
In real property and lodging, amenities are any tangible or untangible benefits of a property, especially those that increase its attractiveness or value or that contribute to its comfort or convenience...
, 3% in taxes collected by Collections Office, 7% from sale and lease of city-owned properties, 30% in transfers from the national budget
Budget
A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. A budget is an important concept in microeconomics, which uses a budget line to illustrate the trade-offs between two or more goods...
based in federal income tax, 34% in state subsidies, 3% in union fees, 1% from tax on liquor sales permits, and 8% from vehicle registrations, passport fees and others.
Projected expenditures, to the total amount of 2,349 million złoty, included: 79% in city maintenance costs, and 21% in city development costs. The maintenance costs were divided as follows: 39% toward education and childcare, 9% for the city infrastructure and lighting, 31% toward social services, 4% for culture and recreational facilities, 3% for mortgage repayments, 1% in transfers to poorer districts and 13% for other expenses including city administration.
City of Kraków development costs were divided as follows: 41% toward road building, transport and communication, 25% — city's infrastructure and environment, 2% for social housing, 8% for modernization of cultural facilities including museums, 15% for sports facilities, and 9% for hospitals, daycare centres and schools.
Budget of Krakow for the year 2006: revenue and expenditures
| I. Revenue | 2 149 835 225 | II. Expenditures | 2 349 197 000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Result: deficit (I - II) | 199 361 775 | ||
| III. Fed. transfers | 381 007 500 | IV. Payments | 181 645 725 |
| Credits | 346 554 500 | Credit payments | 180 645 725 |
| Loan payments | 3 453 000 | Loans given | 1 000 000 |
| Surplus | 31 000 000 | ||
| Total (I and III) | 2 530 842 725 | Total (II and IV) | 2 530 842 725 |
The Kraków City Council
The Kraków City Council has forty-three elected members, one of whom is the mayor, or the President of Kraków, elected every four years in an electionLocal election
Local elections vary widely across jurisdictions. In electoral systems that roughly follow the Westminster model, a terminology has evolved with roles such as Mayor or Warden to describe the executive of a city, town or region, although the actual means of elections vary...
by city voters
Voting
Voting is a method for a group such as a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion—often following discussions, debates, or election campaigns. It is often found in democracies and republics.- Reasons for voting :...
through a secret ballot
Secret ballot
The secret ballot is a voting method in which a voter's choices in an election or a referendum are anonymous. The key aim is to ensure the voter records a sincere choice by forestalling attempts to influence the voter by intimidation or bribery. The system is one means of achieving the goal of...
. The election of City Council and the local head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
, which takes place at the same time, is based on legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
introduced on 20 June 2002. The current President of Kraków, re-elected for his second term in 2006 and third term in 2010, is Prof. Jacek Majchrowski
Jacek Majchrowski
Prof. dr hab. Jacek Maria Majchrowski is the mayor of the Royal Capital City of Kraków, a lawyer and historian, and a professor at Jagiellonian University.-Biography:Majchrowski was born on 13 January 1947 in Sosnowiec...
, lawyer, historian, professor of Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
and doctor honoris causa
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
of Bordeaux University.
Kraków City Council of the 5th term (2007)
- President: Paweł Klimowicz
- Vicepresidents: Stanisław Rachwał, Bogusław Kośmider, Katarzyna Matusik-Lipiec
City Councillors and their political platforms
|
Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... ) |