Investing 430 Billion Won in New City Hall Construction Is Financially Burdensome for Goyang-si
City Commits to All Measures... Finds Gyeonggi-do Investment Review Results Unconvincing
Gyeonggi-do Investment Review Prevents Use of Available City Hall Facilities
Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) expressed deep regret on the 25th regarding the notification of 'rejection' in the Gyeonggi Province local finance investment review for the 'City Hall Relocation Project.'
The city explained, "Amid economic difficulties and financial pressure due to decreased tax revenue, it is crucial to use citizens' taxes efficiently," adding, "If Goyang City bears the entire cost of over 430 billion KRW for the construction of the new City Hall in Jugyo-dong, it will worsen the financial burden and risk encroaching on essential welfare projects and regional development budgets."
Furthermore, the city emphasized, "Pursuing relocation to the Baekseok-dong office building was a realistic choice that could save about 370 billion KRW compared to building a new City Hall, with a budget of 59.9 billion KRW, thereby conserving Goyang Special City's finances."
Gyeonggi Province notified the 'rejection' of the local finance investment review for the 'Goyang City Hall Relocation Project' submitted by Goyang City in July on the 20th. The reason for rejection was that the city requested a re-examination without sufficient supplementation after receiving a 'reconsideration' result in the investment review last November.
In response, the city rebutted, "Although investment reviews are devices to prevent wasteful local finances and ensure efficient budget management, Gyeonggi Province is obstructing Goyang City's City Hall relocation project, deviating from the original purpose of the investment review by citing a lack of resident communication."
The city explained that in December last year, it held a City Hall resident briefing attended by about 200 residents, conducted communication meetings at 44 administrative welfare centers, held meetings with related organizations, and organized site visits and discussions at the Baekseok office building, engaging in multifaceted communication and consultation. Through expert advisory meetings, they reviewed space planning and necessary facilities, held practical TF meetings, and conducted face-to-face reports with all 34 Goyang City council members to explain the necessity and validity of the City Hall relocation.
Meanwhile, the city stated, "Although efforts were made to resolve communication and conflicts, including proposing an ordinance to establish a 'Citizen Participation Communication Committee,' the city council rejected this ordinance without discussion, resulting in undermining the sincerity of resident communication."
The city mentioned, "The construction of the City Hall must be promoted solely with Goyang City's finances without national or Gyeonggi Province financial support, yet Gyeonggi Province is making unnecessary demands and seriously undermining Goyang City's autonomy and independence."
The city stated, "Investment reviews should be used as tools to prevent redundant investments and achieve efficient financial savings according to their original purpose. Gyeonggi Province should support Goyang City to make autonomous decisions and stop unnecessary interference," adding, "The city plans to establish strong countermeasures against the incomprehensible results of Gyeonggi Province's investment review."
Additionally, the city strongly urged, "The city council should stop opposing for the sake of opposition and engage in constructive discussions and cooperation for the citizens," emphasizing, "They must cooperate to design a better future through sincere communication with the citizens."
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