News / Nationalby Staff reporterThe Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has proposed a standstill budget of US$224,7 million for the 2026 financial year, assuring residents there will be no increase in rates and rentals.Presenting the proposal, the local authority said the decision was aimed at cushioning households and businesses from additional financial strain, while ensuring service delivery priorities are addressed. Of the total budget, US$157,5 million is allocated to recurrent expenditure and US$67,2 million to capital projects.Water and sanitation will continue to dominate spending, receiving nearly a third of the budget at US$70,3 million. The city has long struggled with water shortages due to diminishing dam levels, ageing infrastructure and growing demand, forcing authorities to introduce strict rationing. For 2026, US$47,5 million has been set aside for recurrent water and sanitation costs, while US$22,8 million is dedicated to capital projects.Key water initiatives include improving supply reliability (US$3,5 million), reducing non-revenue water losses (US$3,9 million), boosting pumping capacity and efficiency (US$958 000), water reticulation (US$3,2 million), reclaimed water output (US$1,8 million), and effluent quality improvement (US$145 000). Priority roads include Gwanda Road and Cecil Avenue.