Mayor’s Remarks:
1. As May begins, the pandemic remains a major concern nationwide. We must respond with caution. The municipal government has decided to extend the Fall-Winter COVID-19 Prevention Program to May 15. I ask that concerned departments continue to promote pandemic prevention measures in public spaces where tourists are likely to gather, including night markets, scenic areas, and temple parades. I also urge the public to maintain social distance, wash hands diligently, and mask up.
2. Tainan has seen rapid development in recent years, with many construction projects and public works projects taking place in the city. Recently, the weather has been getting warmer, and we’re starting to get some rainfall. Concerned departments should request contractors to implement Dengue fever prevention measures along with existing measures to combat COVID-19. Please also organize unscheduled inspections. By remaining vigilant, we can maintain a certain level of normalcy in our daily lives.
3. Regarding the handling of municipal property, please minimize the sale of land in the future. Rather, please lease property or establish superficies rights instead.
Announcements
1. The Bureau of Education’s report on the program for installing air conditioners and improving the electric power systems in public elementary and junior high schools (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing
Mayor’s Remarks:
(1) Installing air conditioners in every classroom is a major policy promoted by Executive Yuan Premier Su, with the aim of improving and bettering the educational environment of elementary and junior high schools. Tainan is the first city in the nation to announce a public tender for improving schools’ electric power systems. With a unit price of NTD $45,000, which amounts to a total construction cost of NTD $2.8 billion, this tender is a major public focus. The Bureau of Education should reinforce the functions of the oversight team and ensure that construction work is contracted in accordance with guidelines. Also, the Bureau of Education should closely collaborate with the Civil Service Ethics Office to eliminate inappropriate interference and to ensure that schools hire contractors in a just, open, and fair manner.
(2) While improving electric power systems, please continue to promote PV rooftops for schools. PV rooftops can lower indoor temperatures and cut electricity consumption.
2. The Finance and Local Tax Bureau’s report on the progress of the municipal government’s program on cutting spending and increasing revenue (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing
Mayor’s Remarks:
(1) I would like to thank Director-general Chen of the Finance and Local Tax Bureau for his presentation. Everyone in the municipal government has been trying hard to cut spending and increase revenue; however, the house tax cut has resulted in a decrease of municipal income by NTD $2 billion. As a result, Tainan’s own-source revenue percentage has been trending downwards since 2019. Before house tax was implemented in 2016, our own-source revenue percentage was nearly 70%. This percentage has since decreased to 60%. This indicates that our expenses have increased in recent years, resulting in a substantial drop in our own-source revenue percentage. We should see this as a warning and consider how to cut expenses and increase income to satisfy government spending demands. All departments should consider this issue and continue to work on improving these stats.
(2) Earlier this year, the Finance and Local Tax Bureau announced that Tainan’s overall debt decreased by NTD $ 14.649 billion. This is primarily contributed to the increased revenue from municipal rezoning and zoned expropriation. All departments must enforce fiscal discipline. While striving to reduce debt, departments should also reduce the stress of having to repay debt and interest in tandem, with the ultimate focus of creating a better environment for citizens.