News

    County mayor Lin Ming Chen attended the regular parliamentary meeting on November 6th concerning the topic of budget stated; the county government upholds its fiscal discipline, the ideal is not to leave debts for the next generation. Debt reduction is not only ranked 4th in the country, within an increase of NT$2 billion in the budget for next year, but NT$1.7 billion of it is central government subsidy. The county government raised NT$300 million as funds, although annual expenditure has increased, the actual amount of debt has not risen.

    The county government stated that next year is the election year. Some members of congress questioned if the county government’s NT$2 billion budget increase has something to do with the election. Actually, in the NT$2 billion budget increase next year, NT$1.7 billion are central subsidies, including a long term subsidy of NT$500 million, civil servant allowance adjustment subsidies of NT$360 million, and an increase of NT$300 million in sewage construction, road and bridge subsidies of NT$410 million etc. All these projects are central government policies. The county government raised an additional NT$300 million as funds, all of which are for the betterment of Nantou, to make life better for the citizens of the county.

    Regarding the issue of debt, the county government stressed that the results of Nantou’s debt reduction ranked 4th ,aside from the six special municipalities, in the country, 1st in the central area, receiving ‘Excellent’ from the Ministry of Finance for debt management assessment, saving a total of NT$3.07 billion in budget execution from 2014 to 2016; by October this year, long and short-term debt has decreased by 3.4 billion. Due to debt being involved with financial dispatching, the difference in calculation time and methods might generate a cognitive difference. The important thing is, county mayor Lin is the only county mayor who not only does not owe debt, but has also reduced and paid back debt since assuming office.

    In regard to the operation of the Sand Sculpture Park, the county Bureau of Cultural Affairs stated that the construction of the Sand Sculpture Park is for the purpose of social welfare, not for profit, to provide the public, both foreign and domestic, a location for leisure and entertainment, with a construction budget of around NT$50 million, of which NT$40 million is used for the one-time construction of the park infrastructure. The county government received NT$40 million from central as a subsidy; the county government strives its hardest for funds to create the largest tourist resource and benefits.

    As for denture subsidies, they are welcomed by the elderly. This year’s NT$20 million budget is applied in just 2 months. Next year’s county government civil budget will add a civil lottery fund, an estimated total of NT$32 million, providing a full NT$40 thousand, half being the elderly denture subsidy. We hope parliament shows its full support.