Local government in Kraków

Main article: Kraków
Prof. Jacek Majchrowski, the current President of Kraków

Each president of the city of Kraków (known as the Mayor) fulfills his duties with the help of the City Council, 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 disasters.

The city budget of Kraków

The budget of the city of Kraków, which is presented by the Mayor of Kraków on 15 November each year, in 2006 had a projected revenue of 2,150 million złoty.[1] The sources of revenue were as follows: 14% from the municipal taxation on real estate properties as well as on the use of amenities, 3% in taxes collected by Collections Office, 7% from sale and lease of city-owned properties, 30% in transfers from the national budget 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.[2]

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[3]

The Kraków City Council

The Kraków City Council has forty-three elected members,[4] one of whom is the mayor, or the President of Kraków, elected every four years in an election by city voters through a secret ballot. The election of City Council and the local head of government,[5] which takes place at the same time, is based on legislation 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, lawyer, historian, professor of Jagiellonian University and doctor honoris causa of Bordeaux University.

Kraków City Council of the 5th term (2007-2010)

City Councillors and their political platforms

Kraków City Council of the 6th term (2010-2014)

References

  1. Piątkowski, Wojciech. Bulletin of Public Information for the City of Kraków. Wydział Strategii i Rozwoju Miasta. 4 May 2004. Accessed 17 April 2010. (Polish)
  2. Biuletyn Statystyczny Miasta Krakowa. BIP Kraków. Accessed 17 April 2010. (Polish)
  3. Załącznik: 2167. BIP Kraków. Accessed 17 April 2010. (Polish)
  4. Radni Miasta Krakowa V kadencji. BIP Kraków. Accessed 17 April 2010. (Polish)
  5. Prezydent Miasta Krakowa: Jacek Majchrowski. BIP Kraków. Accessed 17 April 2010. (Polish)