Budget amendments, a driving school for veterans with disabilities and solar panels: what Voznesensk councillors discussed at the city council meeting

Voznesensk City Council. Photo: NikVesti

On 17 April, the Voznesensk City Council held its 93rd session. Councillors made amendments to the budget, discussed driving lessons for veterans with disabilities, and approved housing vouchers for military personnel. It was also mentioned that tariffs may rise, as they can no longer be kept in check.

NikVesti reports on the decisions that sparked the most discussion during the meeting .

Twenty out of 34 councillors attended the meeting.

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Funding for business projects

Councillors authorised the mayor to enter into an agreement with the civil society organisation «Civic UA», which intends to fund business projects. They plan to allocate 5 million hryvnias for the implementation of the «Social Impact Bonds» project.

«The project involves cooperation to support businesses with a social dimension. In other words, we set our own indicators, and the non-governmental organisation «Civic UA» plans to fund such business projects to the tune of 5 million hryvnias, on the condition that the city council provides matching funding a year later based on the results achieved. The issue does not currently involve any funding,» noted the speaker.

Veterans’ Rehabilitation Centre

Councillors approved amendments to the Comprehensive Programme for the Support of War Veterans.

New veterans’ support centre in Voznesensk. Photo: Voznesensk City Council

This did not spark any debate, but Larysa Torzhynska, head of the department for veterans and their families, noted that Councillor Vadym Dombrovskyi had raised a question regarding the location of the military rehabilitation centre: whether it should be based at the Novohryhorivka village council or in another building.

«I told him that the renovation has already been completed there, and that the financial costs are the lowest there. That we can only install the equipment thanks to an international grant. And the other premises we considered in the city of Voznesensk are already in use,» noted Larysa Torzhynska.

Councillor Vadym Dombrovskyi asked whether it would be logistically sensible to locate the centre in Novohryhorivka.

«Would it be sensible to shift the problem from a town where there are hospitals, the police and everything else, to Novohryhorivka — a remote area where there is a community centre, a village council and a children’s playground… Are we solving this problem, or are we simply shifting it elsewhere?» remarked the councillor.

The mayor of Voznesensk, Yevhen Velychko, noted that most of the premises are occupied or reserved for various projects.

«The vacant premises we currently have are being used by Caritas (a humanitarian organisation, — note). They are intended for displaced persons. In other words, we have, in principle, occupied all the vacant spaces. And as soon as something new becomes available, we already have an idea of how to use it. And, you must admit, those premises are simply not being used. Even the second floor of the nursery in Novoryhorivka isn’t being used at all. And it’s absolutely lovely,» replied Mayor Yevhen Velychko to the councillor.

Driving lessons for veterans with disabilities

The discussion also raised the issue of training for veterans with disabilities at a driving school. Councillor Vadym Dombrovskyi proposed including certain categories of disability in the programme as part of a partnership with a driving school. The aim is for veterans with disability groups 1 and 2 to be able to train at a driving school in Voznesensk using specialised vehicles.

«We are also asking for the programme to include cooperation with the driving school so that categories are added for people with Group 1 and 2 disabilities. This is a problem. They are entitled to free transport, but to join the queue, they need to have a category. We can refer them (servicemen, — note) to this programme, but we cannot grant them a category. And no one grants special categories here. Only if we ourselves take the initiative, because around 20% of our lads will return with a disability in this category and it is difficult to restrict their rights,» noted the councillor.

Session of the Voznesensk City Council. Screenshot from the broadcast

Head of the Social Protection Department Iryna Shyshlyannikova noted that the issue is that driving schools must hold a licence to train people in specially adapted vehicles. And, first and foremost, such a vehicle must be available for training. Such services are only provided in Lviv.

«At present, under a Cabinet of Ministers resolution, we are receiving state subsidies to train various categories: 21 people who fall under this category are eligible to undergo training for a Category B driving licence. If these are people with disabilities or those in war groups 1 and 2, this driving school currently does not hold a licence to provide such training: they need to obtain a licence so that they are authorised to issue driving licences for vehicles with manual controls. They do not have this. And in Ukraine, as far as I know, it is only available in Lviv,» explained the head of the social protection department.

Vadym Dombrovskyi proposed that Voznesensk should be the first in the region to address this issue with a driving school.

«We must be the first in the region. Mykolaiv won’t take it on; it’s near the front line, and they won’t pass the category tests. If we are the first, we will introduce the programme and train people from across the region. We have the premises; we will then be able to accommodate them, and our community will provide this service, and that will be the result,» suggested Vadym Dombrovskyi.

It was also suggested at the session to enquire at the driving school about the cost of obtaining a licence. However, the question arose as to whether there would be demand for training from veterans. Vadym Dombrovskyi believed that veterans are shy about enquiring about such services. And, in the deputy’s opinion, groups will be formed for several years to come, as the number of veterans with disabilities is growing.

Overall, it was also suggested at the session that the need for training vehicles for veterans with disabilities be communicated to partners.

Vouchers for veterans

Deputies agreed to allocate vouchers to two military personnel — a man and a woman — to help resolve their housing issues.

«This is compensation, a voucher worth 2 million hryvnias. So far, 20 people in our community have already received a voucher. They have completed the procedure. In other words, these are combatants who owned residential properties in territories not controlled by Ukraine, or who were registered for housing in areas where hostilities are taking place,» explained Iryna Shyshlyannikova.

Pumping station

The Voznesensk City Council has approved the contractor for the construction of a water supply pumping station on Vyzvolennia Street and the reconstruction of the water supply network on Svobody Street, on the section from Bolharska Street to Slovianska Street in Voznesensk. The works will be commissioned by the Housing and Utilities and Capital Construction Department of the Voznesensk City Council.

Olha Lohvinenko, Deputy Head of the Housing and Utilities Department, explained that the project had been split into two parts to make implementation easier.

«The project is planned to be carried out in cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration. That is, they will prepare the working design at their own expense and carry out the work at their own expense. This project and the next one must be completed, as we all know that we have problems with water pressure and supply. A modular pumping station and a new water pipeline will be built,» explained Olha Lohvinenko.

Changes to the budget

The most questions arose regarding amendments to the city budget.

«It’s a difficult issue, because currently we have 16 military units requesting between 200,000 and half a million in funding. We are only able to cover three of them today,» said Mayor Yevhen Velychko.

Head of the Finance Department Valentyna Moskalenko explained that amendments to the budget are necessary because, when it was approved for the year, it was impossible to predict all the changes. In particular, at the end of 2025, there were Cabinet of Ministers resolutions regarding pay rises for social and teaching staff. Furthermore, there has been an increase in energy costs and debts.

«This has led to additional costs for us. We could not have predicted such a rise in electricity prices. More than 50%. And the electricity component, both in budgetary institutions and in utility companies, is one of the largest items of expenditure. Therefore, we currently face a problem with paying the electricity bills issued to utility companies, water supply services and BOS Ltd (Biological Treatment Plants, — note), as well as the bills of our budgetary institutions, because we are currently forced to use annual budget allocations from June, July, December and November to increase expenditure in April in order to settle the outstanding bills,» explained the head of the finance department.

Mayor Yevhen Velychko noted that the issue of increasing tariffs has arisen in the city, which they are currently trying to postpone.

«Electricity accounts for 60% of the tariff. And the tariff has not been reviewed. Incidentally, we won’t even be adjusting the tariff, but changing it. This means that the minimum wage will be taken into account. In other words, the cost of one cubic metre of water and drainage will increase by more than 30 hryvnias. Approximately 34 hryvnias. This is still under consideration. We have delayed it as much as possible and considered this issue thoroughly. There are many such challenges. I’m starting to receive messages about transport costs rising in Pervomaisk and Mykolaiv. This is a warning sign for us that we’ll soon start receiving similar letters. I’m doing my utmost to delay this issue, but, unfortunately, there are certain things we simply cannot avoid,» said the mayor.

Valentyna Moskalenko also explained that there was no budget surplus as of 1 April; the available balance had been allocated, so councillors had to approve changes within the limits of the allocated funds. No additional funds are being allocated.

«Within the limits of the allocations held by the main administrators, which they have reviewed once again, we are selecting priorities. And today, the Housing and Utilities Department is proposing to reallocate expenditure from urban improvement and direct 200,000 hryvnias to support the municipal water supply company and to BOS LLC for the payment of electricity bills. Through this draft resolution, we are allocating 200,000 hryvnias to both enterprises, as they have outstanding debts for electricity and water supply amounting to 2.9 million as of 1 April, and 700,000 for the LLC,» noted the head of the finance department.

She added that 800,000 hryvnias are being allocated in response to requests from three military units: the funds have been set aside in the budget. In addition, a grant of 868,000 hryvnias has been received from the state budget for hot meals in Years 1–4. Furthermore, the Prybuzhany rural community is transferring 45,000 hryvnias to Voznesensk for the inclusive resource centre, to be used for dental prosthetics for their residents.

Amendments to the Voznesensk budget. Screenshot of the draft decision

Amendments to the Voznesensk budget. Screenshot of the draft decision

Amendments to the Voznesensk budget. Screenshot of the draft decision

Amendments to the Voznesensk budget. Screenshot of the draft decision

However, Mayor Yevhen Velychko decided to clarify the situation regarding water, specifically where they plan to install solar power stations.

«We currently have a power-generating station at our water supply facility. Last month, it generated 400,000 hryvnias. Unfortunately, we are not so fortunate when it comes to wastewater treatment. But we have been working on this issue. As of today, we have 1,744 panels available for reuse. A project for their installation has been drawn up. That’s around 12 million. But we’ve invited a community organisation to take charge of the solar power station we’re planning to install at the hospital. They’ll handle the installation of this station. We’ve already held talks, and managers from Kyiv have visited us. We hope to install it this year. We are really pushing for it, as we understand that we are currently at the peak of solar generation. If we are to install it, we must do so now, not in winter. It will be installed for the water utility, but will operate for the BOS municipal enterprise,» said the mayor.

Councillor Halyna Zhyhailo noted that funds had been allocated to the water utility on several occasions, but there is an outstanding electricity bill.

«What was the situation a year ago, when the water utility’s power was cut off due to arrears? How could that have happened?» asked the councillor.

Yevhen Velychko replied that the water utility’s debt is greater than the amount allocated from the budget.

«It currently stands at over 2.5 million for the water utility, Halyna. And we have only allocated 200,000. Let me explain why. If we do not allocate these 200,000 now, we will not demonstrate the progress we are making with the RES, which we are trying, however modestly, to resolve. If we don’t get this 200,000, we’ll be cut off; I guarantee it. And we were cut off this year too. They simply cut off stations that the city didn’t notice. That was Novohryhorivka. And we get cut off from time to time,» said the mayor.

The councillor then asked whether they had sought donors who could purchase storage tanks to continue pumping water when there is no electricity. But the mayor replied that they were working with donors.

«What do you think we’re doing here? We’re waiting for your advice, Halyna. I honestly didn’t know what to do. This is our main job, what we do here. Halyna, come and sit with us and see what we’re doing. You’ll see what stations we have, what we’ve got, and where they’re planned to be installed. I certainly need your advice on what’s needed and where to apply for grants. Halyna, with all due respect. Please show some respect yourself,» said the mayor.

Bus stop near the shop: no space for people

Land issues were also on the agenda. In particular, regarding the lease of a 21-square-metre plot of land at 21 Tsentralna Street for the maintenance of commercial buildings for a period of five years. However, councillor Yurii Kondratenkov noted that there is a question regarding the bus stop near the shop.

«I have no objection to this entrepreneur’s project, but now is not the time to consider this issue. Because a shop has been built on the site of the bus stop, and the waiting area for public transport has not been constructed in accordance with architectural requirements. It’s just a makeshift structure on the side with two benches, covered by some metal sheets, a post standing there, and that’s all. And please note, when the weather is bad, how many people stand in front of the shop. And there’s a lay-by where taxi drivers park at the side; we constantly fine them so they don’t occupy this bus stop. Architectural requirements were set out there too, to add a few more benches so there would be a place to wait for transport. So I propose that councillors refrain from supporting this draft resolution,» said the councillor.

At the session, it was proposed that the city council resolution should oblige the tenant to ensure that the public transport waiting area is fitted out in accordance with the architectural requirements. And to adopt the decision at the next session. However, the suggestion was also made to resolve the situation with the taxi drivers at the stop. The decision regarding the lease was rejected.

As a reminder, NikVesti also reported on what councillors discussed at the 91st session of the Voznesensk City Council, including grants, roads and salaries. At the meeting of the 92nd extraordinary session on 25 March, councillors allocated 650,000 hryvnias to complete the renovation of the operating theatre block in the surgical department of the Voznesensk Multidisciplinary Hospital.