The region’s coat of arms, digitalisation and an appeal to the government: key decisions from the session of the Mykolaiv Regional Council

The Mykolaiv Regional Council has approved a new coat of arms for the region. Photo: NikVesti

On Thursday, 16 April, the thirty-fifth extraordinary session of the Mykolaiv Regional Council of the eighth convocation took place. Deputies considered over 20 issues, including changing the region’s coat of arms, establishing a new municipal institution, taking ownership of a maternity hospital, and a number of appeals to the Cabinet of Ministers.

For more details on the issues discussed at the session, see the report by NikVesti.

Forty-four deputies were present at the session. The first issue considered by the deputies concerned the admission of a new deputy to the regional council. This refers to Kateryna Stokolias, who replaced deputy Vira Myronova, who had previously resigned her seat.

Kateryna Stokolias is the spokesperson for the municipal enterprise «Mykolaivpastrans» and is a member of the executive committee of Mykolaiv City Council. According to «Rukh Chesno», Kateryna Stokolias previously stood for election to the Mykolaiv City Council in 2020 (list №15, constituency №3). Furthermore, in 2015, she stood for election to the city council for the «DemAlliance» party in single-member constituency №31.

Councillor Kateryna Stokolias. Photo: NikVesti

The councillors then agreed to amend the procedure for allocating rent payments for property belonging to the municipal enterprise «Farmatsiia». From now on, 10% of the funds from the rental of «Farmatsiia» real estate will go to the regional budget, whilst 90% will remain with the entity holding the assets.

«To date, the municipal enterprise ‘Farmatsiia’ continues to develop. The number of pharmacy outlets has increased, as has the number of employees. We are approaching you with a proposal to change the rental percentage in favour of the ‘Pharmacy’ municipal enterprise to a ratio of 90% to 10%. The funds saved will allow the municipal enterprise to develop in the future,» explained Iryna Tkachenko, Head of the Health Department of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration.

Iryna Tkachenko, Head of the Health Department of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration. Photo: NikVesti

Maternity Hospital №3 is now owned by the region

Members of the Mykolaiv Regional Council supported the transfer of Maternity Hospital №3 into the joint ownership of the region’s communities. Earlier, on 9 April, the transfer of the facility was also approved by members of the Mykolaiv City Council. In future, the maternity hospital is planned to be merged with the Mykolaiv Regional Clinical Hospital, which is located nearby.

Mykolaiv Regional Council. Photo: NikVesti

The head of the regional council, Anton Tabunschyk, noted that the issue of the transfer has been under discussion since 2023, and the current decision is key to the further development of the region’s medical infrastructure.

Forty-four councillors voted in favour of the decision, with one abstaining.

Mykolaiv region with a new coat of arms

Deputies of the Mykolaiv Regional Council supported the change to the region's coat of arms. Deputies were offered two options for the coat of arms: the first featuring Saint Nicholas, a Cossack cross and waves; the second featuring elements of Olbia’s ancient heritage.

First option — Saint Nicholas, a Cossack cross and waves

The second option — an amphora, an anchor and a deer

During the discussion, Kateryna Stokolias, a councillor from the «Propozytsiia» party, noted that the sketch needed further refinement and that it might be possible to combine both concepts.

«I received requests not only from local communities but also from military units. They proposed the second option. I believe that the history of the Mykolaiv region should not be limited to Saint Nicholas alone. Our history is ancient and profound. I understand that the majority in the chamber supports the first option. But I would still like to find a compromise and refine the design,» she said.

Meeting of the Mykolaiv Regional Council. Photo: NikVesti

At the same time, councillor Yevhen Horburov (Opposition Party — For Life) emphasised that the proposed option featuring Saint Nicholas is the result of experts’ work and best reflects the region’s symbolism.

This position was also supported by deputies from «Servant of the People», Ihor Savchenko and Vladyslav Martychenko, who noted that the majority of residents they had surveyed favoured this particular option.

Councillors Serhii Maiboroda, Yevhen Horburov, Andrii Fatianov. Photo: NikVesti

In contrast, Ruslan Peresunko, a deputy from «European Solidarity», spoke in favour of the Olbia option, emphasising the importance of the Scythian heritage for the region’s identity.

Councillor Ruslan Peresunko. Photo: NikVesti

Following the discussion, the deputies voted separately on each option. The coat of arms featuring Saint Nicholas was supported by 41 deputies, with one voting against. The Olbia option received 7 votes in favour, 3 against, 14 deputies abstained, and a further 21 did not vote.

School buses for communities in the region

Following the session’s decision, six communities in the Mykolaiv region will receive specialised school buses, which they purchased through a 50-50 joint funding arrangement.

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Alla Velikhovska, Director of the Department of Education and Science at the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, reported that 19 specialised school buses were purchased last year to transport children with special educational needs. 12 buses have already been allocated.

A further six have been transferred to the communities for use, following the session’s decision. Specifically, the Sukhyi Yelanets and Chornomorka village councils, the Bereznehuvate, Yelanets and Kryve Ozero settlement councils will each receive one bus, whilst the Mykolaiv City Council will receive two buses.

Report by the Chairman of the Regional Council

Anton Tabunschyk, Chairman of the Mykolaiv Regional Council, addressed the deputies with his annual report. In his speech, he reported on the number of sessions held and the work of the specialist committees. Information was also provided regarding visits to communities and the activities of the regional council over the past year.

Anton Tabunshyk, Chair of the Mykolaiv Regional Council. Photo: NikVesti

Among the achievements, the Chairman of the Mykolaiv Regional Council highlighted the implementation of the ‘Stable Energy’ grant project for the Buzke, Arbuzynka and Pivdennoukrainsk communities. He also reported on the handover of equipment to fire and rescue units, the creation of a modern children’s play area in Bashtanka, the restoration of access to water, the transport of children and other initiatives.

Screenshots from the report by Anton Tabunschyk, Chairman of the Regional Council

Screenshots from the report by Regional Council Chairman Anton Tabunschyk

Meanwhile, Valentyn Boiko, a deputy from the «Propozytsiia» party, demanded a report on the activities of Vitalii Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration. He emphasised that the law requires an annual report, but none had been provided.

«For some reason, the Mykolaiv regional prosecutor manages to come before the deputies and report every three months. And I find it incomprehensible and even offensive that the head of the regional military administration finds the time and opportunity to open a ‘McDonald’s’ but cannot make his way to the deputies’ chamber of the regional council with his report, which he is required to submit in accordance with the law,» he noted.

Deputy Valentyn Boiko. Photo: NikVesti

The head of the regional council, Anton Tabunschyk, noted that the comment was apt and asked the council’s secretariat to send a request to the military administration.

New municipal institution

The Mykolaiv Regional Council has established a new municipal institution, «Innovative Technologies and Networks», which will be responsible for the development of regional information systems, cyber security and the implementation of security programmes in the region.

As explained by Dmytro Havryliak, Head of the Department for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation at the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, the establishment of the institution is linked to the need to centralise the management of the region’s digital resources, optimise costs and strengthen cyber resilience.

Dmytro Havryliak, Head of the Department for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation at the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, on the right. Photo: NikVesti

According to him, the initiative also aims to bring specialists together in a single centre and strengthen expert support for communities.

The draft decision states that the institution’s activities will include:

• Development of the region’s CCTV networks
• Development of the departmental communications network and provision of internet access (non-commercial provisioning)
• Implementation and maintenance of a centralised electronic document management system (EDMS):
• Development and support of information systems: technical support, updating and administration of web portals, registers and databases of the Mykolaiv Regional Military (State) Administration and its structural units, the Mykolaiv Regional Council and its structural units
• Cybersecurity and information protection
• Education, training and digital literacy
• Support for security measures and cooperation with Territorial Defence
• Management of digital infrastructure assets

The decision was supported unanimously — 41 councillors voted in favour. There was no discussion during the consideration of the matter.

Immediately afterwards, the deputies approved the candidate for head of the agency. The newly established body will be headed by Andrii Tsiurysov — his candidacy raised no objections.

Andrii Tsiurysov, the new head of the ‘Innovative Technologies and Networks’ agency. Photo: NikVesti

New hydrological reserve

By a decision of the session, the «Kovalivski Plavni» hydrological reserve, covering an area of 392.4 hectares, was established in the Mykolaiv region.

It is noted that the creation of the reserve will contribute to the preservation of the region’s unique landscapes.

Hunting grounds

Deputies also revoked the land use rights for three hunting grounds:

• «Myslyvtsi Pobuzhzhia»
• «Kazankivske Hunting and Fishing Enterprise»
• «Novo-Odesa Self-Supporting Organisation «Hunters and Fishermen’s Farm» of the Novo-Odesa District Public Organisation «Novo-Odesa Hunters»»

Mykolaiv Regional Council. Photo: NikVesti

Losses due to frost

Councillors supported the appeal from the enterprise «Zoria Inhulu», which had approached the regional council requesting confirmation that it had suffered losses due to spring frosts. This decision is required, in particular, for tax matters and the potential retention of preferential tax treatment for the agricultural producer.

This refers to a decision by the Mykolaiv Regional Council officially recognising that in April–May 2025, there were frosts in the Bashtanka community, which were classified as force majeure. The company «Zoria Inhulu» was also included in the list of those affected by these weather conditions.

«Flag of Hope» at the official level

Members of the Mykolaiv Regional Council supported an appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine proposing that the «Flag of Hope» be officially recognised as a national symbol. This refers to a symbol associated with support for Ukrainian prisoners of war, those missing in action, and their families.

During the vote, 42 deputies supported the document.

Memorial complex in Bohdanivka

Deputies of the Mykolaiv Regional Council also prepared an appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers requesting that the memorial complex in Bohdanivka be included in the Register of Monuments of National Importance.

Mykhailo Holdenberh, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Jewish Community, noted that this is an important step that will strengthen state protection of the area and draw attention to the Mykolaiv region.

The decision was supported by 42 votes.

Mykhailo Holdenberh, Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Jewish Community. Photo: NikVesti

Compensation for electricity for residents of modular homes

The Mykolaiv Regional Council has appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers to resolve the issue of compensation for electric heating in modular homes where IDPs and people who have lost their homes due to the war reside.

The issue is that these residents cannot receive electricity subsidies, even though they effectively have no other means of heating. There are more than 75 modular homes across eight communities in the Mykolaiv region. They are home to 195 people — either IDPs or those who have lost their homes due to the hostilities.

The appeal was supported by 43 councillors.

Deputy Chair of the Mykolaiv Regional Council Denys Andriiev, Chair of the Regional Council Anton Tabunschyk, and Deputy Chair of the Council Ihor Shcherbyna. Photo: NikVesti

The region’s water resources

Deputies of the Mykolaiv Regional Council also supported an appeal to the government on two issues related to water resources.

The first is to return management of the Southern Bug river basin to the Mykolaiv region, which is currently based in Vinnytsia. Deputies believe that, due to the region’s location in the lower reaches of the river, it makes more sense to manage water resources from here.

The second appeal concerns the allocation of funds from the state budget for a project to dredge the bed of the Mertvovod River in the Voznesensk district. This is necessary to prepare the documentation required to dredge approximately 9 kilometres of the river in the future and reduce the risk of flooding in settlements and agricultural land.

Both issues were supported by the deputies.

VAT for small businesses

The Mykolaiv Regional Council has appealed to the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers, requesting that VAT not be introduced for small and medium-sized businesses with an annual turnover exceeding 4 million hryvnias.

Deputies believe that such changes could lead to a sharp rise in prices, the closure of some businesses and negative consequences for the economy, particularly in the regions.

«This will mean that from 1 January 2027, as soon as this tax is introduced, we can expect a sharp rise in prices, by at least 30–35%. The tax itself is 20%, plus 5% for administration, plus 5–10% to cover risks. Among small and medium-sized businesses, this will undoubtedly cause a serious backlash and discontent. In addition to these percentages, which will place a burden on businesses, it should be noted that from 1 January 2027, entrepreneurs or business entities currently operating without VAT and switching to the tax itself will have to pay 20% more tax on their remaining stock. The mark-up on those balances could be 10–12%. In other words, the introduction of VAT will lead to the bankruptcy of a large number of business entities,» noted Olena Herasymchuk, an MP from the Servant of the People party.

The decision was supported by 42 councillors.

Councillor Olena Herasymchuk. Photo: NikVesti

It should be noted that Yevhen Horburov, a member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council, believes that the council’s decision to adopt the coat of arms is one of the most important of the entire term, and that future generations should be proud of the deputies’ choice.