Gorodetsky against “others”

Mayors of Siberian and Far Eastern cities began a lobbying battle to retain their powers

A general meeting of the Association of Siberian and Far Eastern Cities (ASDC) was held in Novosibirsk, under the supervision of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Siberian Federal District Anatoly Kvashnin. Despite all the efforts of the plenipotentiary to direct the thoughts of the heads of municipalities towards the implementation of priority national projects, the main topic of the meeting was the difficulties of implementing the law on local self-government and the possible adoption of amendments to federal legislation that would allow the mayors of large cities to be deprived of some powers.

“The implementation of national projects requires from the authorities not only the highest responsibility, commitment and professionalism, but a radical revision of their work methods,” Anatoly Kvashnin tried to convince the mayors. “The cities of Siberia need to change their appearance and create a comfortable living environment, and great attention should be paid to the construction of individual housing in the cities.” “There is no need to force a small number of people into high-rise buildings,” the plenipotentiary advised and finally asked the heads of cities “not to be ostracized.”

But, despite the figurative speech of the “president’s tentacle,” as Anatoly Kvashnin once called himself, it was obvious that the heads of his listeners were occupied with other pressing problems. The main part of the speech by the chairman of the ASDC, the mayor of Novosibirsk Vladimir Gorodetsky, was devoted to the first results of the implementation of the 131st federal law “On the general principles of the organization of local self-government.” The five months that have passed since this document came into force have revealed significant shortcomings in it that limit the development of large cities. “Our experience (in the Novosibirsk region, Law 131 came into force on January 1, 2005) has confirmed that the law is conceptually correct, but it cannot be adapted to all territories,” said Mr. Gorodetsky. “There are some incorrect points regarding the division of powers.”

The head of the ASDC complained that municipalities were not interested in developing the economy and social sphere on their own territory, since these powers and the corresponding tax revenues have now transferred to the regional level. “A dependent approach to life is being imposed on us,” said the mayor of Novosibirsk. -- We do not receive income tax from enterprises, we lose the opportunity to stimulate the city's economy. The means to influence the economic situation are limited: municipal orders, land tax rates and powers to allocate land plots. At the same time, the meeting participants did not go into “deaf opposition” to the federal authorities, suggesting that the ASDC could become an effective lobbying structure in this matter, which would prove the need to amend Law 131 or agree directly with the heads of regions on the delegation of powers.

Some “indulgences” for large cities are possible this year. According to Vladimir Gorodetsky, the Russian Ministry of Finance understands the situation. It should be corrected by increasing from 30 to 40% the standard for deductions to municipalities of personal income tax, transferring transport tax to the category of local taxes and replacing the tax on land and property of individuals with a unified local property tax. All these measures could give municipalities a powerful incentive to develop the real sector of the city’s economy.

However, all these efforts may be in vain if the State Duma adopts amendments in the fall allowing governors to withdraw up to ten most important powers from the heads of cities that are administrative centers. Including the organization of heat, gas, electricity and water supply, removal and disposal of household waste, construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, transport services, establishment of land use and development rules and control over land use. The heads of large Siberian cities in the spring very actively opposed the possible adoption of such a bill. The mayor of Tomsk, Alexander Makarov, even proposed then to immediately convene a meeting of the ASDH and appeal to President Putin with a demand to stop the development of amendments.

Now the mayors hope to establish a dialogue with Moscow in the remaining time, but do not hide their negative attitude towards the withdrawal of their powers. “These amendments are needed only by weak governors who cannot work with mayors in order to demonstrate their will in this way,” said Vladimir Gorodetsky. - But how do you imagine that the city would give the sources of financing the powers included in the budget to the governor? I think this is impossible. And then, it’s not the king’s business for the governor of the Novosibirsk region to take out the garbage.” The mayor of Omsk, Viktor Schrader, limited himself to a brief remark: “Look at the Constitution of the Russian Federation, everything is written there. Such amendments can only be accepted if the Constitution is changed.” It is these people who will have to negotiate with the federal authorities - Vladimir Gorodetsky was re-elected chairman of the ASDH for the third time, and Viktor Schrader and the mayor of Barnaul Vladimir Kolganov became his deputies.

Evgeniy MEZDRIKOV, Novosibirsk