Split municipal spending and procurement investigations

In Split, Croatia, political scrutiny has intensified regarding the management of municipal companies and the use of public funds. Initially, the Split SDP demanded transparency concerning municipal spending, specifically targeting the local water and sewage utility for alleged unrecorded overtime and irregular cash payments. The SDP also raised concerns about the procurement of a biostabilizer and a baler by the city cleaning service, suggesting potential conflicts of interest.

Following these allegations, the Split City Council moved toward formal investigations. A thematic session was called to examine the operations of the municipal waste company, Čistoća, under the previous administration. Critics from multiple parties, including SDP and Možemo, characterized certain equipment purchases as failed investments.

Furthermore, the situation expanded to include the ‘Šuta Fimi media’ affair, involving allegations that public funds were diverted to private entities. This investigation focuses on suspicious business dealings between an associate of Mayor Tomislav Šuta and various city institutions, such as Vision Facade and RDI Sound and Light. Council members continue to demand access to contracts and invoices to clarify these connections.

Recent reports indicate that local councils in Split continue to address these controversies regarding waste management equipment and procurement irregularities. These issues are part of a broader regional context where authorities are grappling with waste management and the urgent need for long-term infrastructure, such as composting plants and waste treatment centers.