Bnei Brak Mayor Defends City's Finances Amid Deficit Reports
Bnei Brak Mayor Hanoch Zeibert has addressed public concerns regarding the city's financial difficulties, attributing them to a confluence of complex budgetary structures, management decisions, and external events rather than an inherent collapse. In an interview, Zeibert explained that the city, which operates on a tight annual budget, relies heavily on income from the BBC business complex to sustain its operations.
He detailed several specific events in 2025 that created significant budget gaps. These included delays in rental income and property taxes from the Ministry of Defense due to security events, a lack of revenue from parking due to the absence of an Interior Minister to approve rate changes, and a slowdown in commercial construction leading to reduced betterment levies and property taxes. Additionally, a substantial increase in the cost of personal educational support plans, with the municipality covering one-third of the expenses, added a significant burden.
Zeibert also highlighted a cash flow issue caused by a delayed release of property tax discount tables from the Interior Ministry, which pushed back collection by three months. This, combined with ongoing infrastructure projects and a lack of bids on economic company tenders due to the construction freeze, exacerbated the financial strain in the first quarters of the year.
Regarding the city's cleanliness, Zeibert admitted to past issues with contracted cleaning companies that overcharged for services not rendered. He asserted that stricter oversight, including GPS tracking and close supervision, has been implemented to ensure accountability and improve service delivery without incurring excessive costs.
Looking ahead, Zeibert expressed confidence that the city is on a path to recovery. He stated that a plan has been presented to the Interior Ministry and the Local Government Administration, with a more detailed proposal to follow. He anticipates that Bnei Brak will finish 2026 with a balanced budget and expects 2027 to be similarly stable, provided no major unforeseen events occur. Zeibert also emphasized that municipal employees will not bear the brunt of the financial adjustments, with efforts focused on efficiency and avoiding layoffs.
