Official Inquiry: Implementation of infrastructure projects significantly exceeding the budget approved by the Council Plenary

To:

Mr. Eli Abutbul, Council Chairman

Mr. Avi Hossman, Council Treasurer

Date: August 31, 2025

Subject: Implementation of infrastructure projects significantly exceeding the budget approved by the Council Plenary

The inquiry is as follows:

On [date], the Council Chairman posted on the Council’s Facebook page regarding the implementation of several projects. Incidentally, the post itself is contrary to the guidelines and the opinion of the Council’s Legal Advisor. I am awaiting the Legal Advisor’s handling of these ongoing violations. According to this unauthorized post, there is an overrun of millions of shekels from the budget approved for project implementation.

1. Project No. 2—Work to upgrade HaAliyah Street is being carried out pursuant to Budget Resolution No. 2510, which was approved by the plenary session in February 2025 in the amount of 730,000 NIS.

The Council Chair published on the Council’s website that the cost of the project is 1,800,000 NIS.

The difference between the budget approved by the plenary session and the amount announced by the council head is 970,000 NIS.

What is the actual cost of implementing this project?

Are additional works being carried out on this project without a budgetary source and without the plenary’s approval, and where is the budget coming from?

2. Work on additional parking and traffic management in the Beit Ramaz neighborhood

Budget item 2239 was approved by the plenary session following a budget increase to 950,000 NIS.

However, the council head posted on the council’s Facebook page that the project cost 2,000,000 NIS.

The discrepancy between what was approved by the plenary session and what was actually carried out is 1,050,000 NIS.

Are additional works being carried out on this project without a budgetary source? Where did the approval for the budget supplement come from?

What is the actual cost of the project?

3. Repairs to the fountain in the park in the settlement.

These are being carried out under a budget reserve whose increase was approved by the plenary session in August 2025 for a total of 690,000 NIS.

However, the council head posted on the council’s Facebook page that the cost was 600,000 NIS.

The discrepancy, which in this case is reflected in the lower amount published to residents, is 100,000 NIS. What is the actual cost of repairing the fountain?

4. In light of sections 1–3, I would like to know whether the discrepancies between what the plenary session approves and what is reported to residents stem from:

a. Systematic budget overruns

B. Systematic misrepresentation to residents.

Sincerely

Dr. Limor Zar Gutman, Esq.

Council Member

“Lema’an HaMoshava” Party