The collection of taxes in Vittoria goes from a percentage of 32 percent to 51 percent. Over the last two and a half years, the administration led by Mayor Francesco Aiello has started a fight to recover tax evasion (he just recently crossed the mid-term milestone).
During a press conference in the town hall, the mayor and his deputy, Peppe Fiorellini, announced some of the results achieved. Many more citizens pay their taxes as they are due and a system of controls is being launched that will target those who are in default.
We start with the possibility of cutting off the water supply to those who don’t pay the bill. “Water is a good that must be guaranteed – said Aiello – but we can also do it with tankers”. However, the reduction of the water supply can only take place in serious cases, i.e. after four years of full-blown arrears.
These are – obviously – extreme measures that the municipality will try to apply only in extreme cases, but the invitation to citizens is clear. “If they call us to ask for services as is right – says Aiello – they must know that municipal services must be paid for”.
The fight against tax evasion will especially concern the 2,875 extra-urban water users who escape controls more easily and where irregularities sometimes also occur and there is very high arrears, as high as 74 percent.
However, the municipality lends a hand to citizens (with the launch of the facilitated settlement of unpaid taxes up to 72 instalments: 3,125 procedures have been started (for a total of contributions amounting to 8,450,000 euros). Of these, 2,800. 000 euros have already been collected. A sign – explains the deputy mayor and councilor for taxes, Peppe Fiorellini – that the facilitated definition has been accepted by the citizens”.
But there are also forced collection measures: 51 mortgage registrations and 2,452 vehicle shutdowns have already been started.
“We were in an economic situation almost of financial collapse – adds Fiorellini – today we are suffering, like most Sicilian municipalities, but the situation has improved”
Vittoria turns around on Iblea Acque. Aiello: “For now the management remains with the municipality”
In Vittoria, another controversial choice occurred. The municipality has made an about-face from the decision to transfer the management of the water service to Iblea Acque.
There are many critical issues, which do not put the municipality in a position to have the necessary guarantees for the service. “We are a difficult city – explains Aiello – there is a problem with the management of the wells. Some are located in the reserve area, others we share with Sicilia Acque which serves the town of Gela. What guarantees could Iblea Acque give us? Who will have to pay for the electricity needed to pump water? I understand that Iblea Acquee has not yet been transferred for other municipalities. We must defend the service for our citizens. We stopped, waiting to understand how the situation will evolve this year. Let’s say that many things didn’t convince me and my ‘intuitive nature’ helped me understand that it was better to stop for now. Over the course of this year we will understand what choices to make and we will try to understand if it is possible to stay out and continue to manage the water resource independently.”
Vittoria is also affected by the lack of meters that measure consumption (you pay not for water consumption, but a tax calculated on the basis of the square meters of the home and the number of inhabitants) and the need to also guarantee the water supply service. tankers and waste disposal trucks, which weighs on municipal coffers and the costs of the service. The financial sector manager Giuseppe Sulsenti, however, explained that these last two items have a significant impact
Vittoria – therefore – unique among the Iblean municipalities – remains outside the management of Iblea Acque, while remaining in the company. Doubts regarding the possible critical issues of the service were raised a year and a half ago in the city council by councilor Bianca Mascolino. On that occasion, the administrators did not answer the questions and the board voted by a large majority to join Iblea Acque.
Now we’re going back. And the future – Aiello says – is still to be decided. Vittoria, if she can, will choose to remain out of the management of Iblea Acque.
The city council voted on a budget change to reintroduce the sums necessary for the management of the water service into the budget chapters. For one year the expected cost is around 8.5 million.
