Sofia City Hall's revenue for the first six months of the year was 28 per cent higher than last year, Minko Gerdjikov, deputy mayor in charge of financing told an August 1 2008 news conference.

Tax revenue so far was 208 million leva, as opposed to 163 million leva for the same time period last year, he said.

Gerdjikov talked about his satisfaction at the municipal management's proceeds of 100 million leva, accrued from the successful privatisation of three municipal companies. 

“Our ambition now is to use up all resources as quickly as possible, considering rising inflation in the country,” Gerdjikov said, noting that working groups of experts have been set up to devise strategy for the most effective utilisation of the money.

The privatisation fund complements the municipality budget, which was voted by the city council in March close to 900 million leva.

A substantial amount from the fund will be allowed for the building of 47 multi-functional sports facilities, some of which had already been built, Gerdjikov said.

Another 14 million leva will be spent on medical centres. Half of this will be spent on renovations and the other half used to buy medical equipment, he said. 

New kindergartens will be built with the allotted 35 million leva. Three kindergartens have already been completed in Triaditsa, Hadji Dimitar and Poduene boroughs. Sofia should also become a greener city with projects to construct new parks and planned landscaping for the city’s vicinities.

The municipality, however, is behind schedule with its investment programme, although 350 million leva will go to street repairs and maintenance. 

Asked to comment on the commotion surrounding the state-owned natural gas provider Bulgargaz and the Kremikovtzi steel mill issue on July 31, Sofia Mayor Boiko Borissov accused the state institutions and the Cabinet of negligence in dealing with the problem.

On July 31 Bulgargaz said that it was about to cut the gas supply to Kremikovtsi because of its unpaid debts. Sofia's Regional Governor sent a letter to Borissov warning him that because of Bulgargaz' intention, there might be a risk of an explosion within the steel plant leading to potential hazards for the surrounding boroughs.

Borissov said he was forced to consult the National Civil Protection Service to ask for instructions in case of an accident but he did not receive any information on the matter.

He then sent letters containing preventative measures to the concerned boroughs' municipalities, as well as to various state institutions and members of the Cabinet demanding adequate reactions in case of an explosion.

Borissov also commented on last week’s rubbish situation in Sofia, when most of Novera (a city cleaning concessionaire) company employees quit their jobs, leaving rubbish uncollected for days. Borissov said that he had sent a warning letter to Novera, threatening the company with severe sanctions.