Oh dear, here’s another one from the IU and not many Smarty points for Benny in this one either: Benavides spent on judicial matters during 2008 almost double the allotted budget.
According to a report that was handed over to the IU, which had been drawn up by the Municipal Accountant, the money paid out for judicial matters was 260,618 euros. This ‘tremendous figure,’ says Fermín Tejero, far exceeds the 148,000-euro budget.
This is nothing new, says the Councillor, as the figures for 2007 were even higher: 303,739 euros, doubling again the set aside funds. For this reason, the Councillor considers that it is hardly surprising that the Town Hall is continually raising tax revenue.
To give an idea of ‘value’ of the money spent, the IU points out that the total money spent on the municipal fire department was 269,094 euros. Equally, with the money spent on lawyers, the town could have given year-round employment to around a dozen workers to clean the beaches, maintain the public gardens or help the elderly.
Finally, the Councillor underlines the fact that the majority of the expenses incurred in the judicial department were generated by the ‘irregular actions of the Mayor.’