Prijedor allocates 4.5 million KM to support municipal heating utility

The city of Prijedor has allocated 4.5 million KM from its budget to support the operations of the municipal heating utility, Toplana, for the upcoming heating season. This allocation includes 2.65 million KM in subsidies and 1.85 million KM in grants for public non-financial entities.

Toplana director Duško Miletić stated that the subsidy amount was increased from an original plan of 2 million KM following a budget rebalance. This year's total municipal support is approximately 400,000 KM higher than the 4.1 million KM provided last year. Miletić noted that the company is not self-sustaining, facing total needs of approximately 9 million KM against 5.12 million KM in regular revenue. These costs include 2.8 million KM for biomass, 3 million KM in loans, 1 million KM in interest, and 1.8 million KM for salaries.

Since Miletić took leadership in March 2021, the company's total liabilities have been reduced from 36 million KM to 28 million KM. The city also continues to service EBRD loans related to a 2015 transition to biomass. Currently, the utility has 2,500 tons of biomass in stock with another 3,000 tons contracted. Maintenance on pipelines and boilers is scheduled for completion by September 20.