Milo Bozovic, the former mayor of Budva who is currently in detention, earned 2,024 euros in personal income in 2024. Based on his work records, which determine his earnings, it appears that Božović maintained full work attendance each month, logging 174 working hours consistently.

Last year, Božović’s expenses to the Budva treasury amounted to 24,812 euros (gross), with a net monthly salary of 1,480 euros. Additionally, he benefited from the “Europe Now 2” economic initiative, receiving 1,588 euros during the last three months of the year.

The work documents for the former Budva chief from January to August were signed and sent to the Secretariat for Finance by the previous President of the Municipal Assembly, Nikola Jovanovic. Subsequently, from September to December, Božović’s attendance records were managed by the secretary of the Budva Assembly, Berislav Fabris.

The records indicate that Božović took no annual leave, was not on sick leave in 2024, and was present at work, consistently logging 174 working hours every month.

The Special State Prosecutor’s Office has charged Božović in several criminal cases, alleging that he is part of organized crime groups involved in the international cocaine trade.

Government Warning Goes Unheeded

Nearly a year ago, the Government raised concerns regarding Božović’s position, including his salary, by issuing a Decision on Warning dated March 14, 2024. This warning informed the Budva Municipal Council that they needed to temporarily suspend Božović from work due to his detention within 10 days, as stipulated by the Labor Law.

This law prescribes that during periods of temporary absence from work, an employee is entitled to compensation equivalent to one-third of their earnings and, if they are the head of a family, up to half of their prior monthly salary.

However, a session of the Budva Municipal Assembly was never convened, resulting in Božović not being “temporarily suspended from duty,” which the Ministry of Public Administration expressed its “concern” over.

The MPA’s statement to “Vijesti” highlighted that the President of the Budva Municipal Assembly convened two sessions to deliberate on agenda items that included the Strategic Development Plan for the Budva Municipality (2024-2028), the appointment of the Vice-President of the Municipality, and the dismissal of the President of Budva Municipality. Despite these discussions, the Assembly failed to fulfill its obligations under the Government’s Warning, leading to a Decision on the shortening of the Municipal Assembly’s mandate. Therefore, the Budva Municipal Assembly did not dissolve; instead, elections were called.

The Municipality’s vice-president Jasna Dokić urged the Government multiple times to take action. Initially, she called for Božović’s dismissal immediately after the legal conditions were met, which occurred six months post-arrest (Božović was taken into custody on April 13, 2023). However, the cabinet led by Dritan Abazović and later Milojko Spajić, did not publicly address the inappropriateness of a person facing serious charges and multiple indictments for his role in organized drug trafficking continuing to lead a municipality.

Dokić’s Appeals

Dokić sent urgent letters to Prime Minister Spajić, Minister of Public Administration Maraš Dukaj, and President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, indicating that Božović had illegally dismissed her in early December and was consequently occupying his position unlawfully.

She appealed to Dukaj’s department to act swiftly regarding Božović’s dismissal procedure, asserting that the criteria under Article 63 of the Law on Local Self-Government were met, since he had been out of office too long and had failed to issue any orders concerning the municipality’s strategic development and essential programs. Dokić emphasized that as vice president, she lacked the directives necessary to fulfill citizens’ rights and responsibilities effectively.

“Moreover, I have not received guidelines to develop plans or programs, nor instructions relevant to preparing assessments of the President of the Municipality’s activities. Additionally, I have not been provided with criteria for appointing heads of local government bodies, resulting in a lack of managers in full capacity within the Municipality, with several bodies lacking any leadership whatsoever. Therefore, given the circumstances outlined and according to Article 63 of the Law on Local Self-Government, I urge the Government to act to ensure legality by dismissing the President of the Municipality of Budva,” Dokić articulated in one of her letters.

She also pointed out that Božović had not maintained a permanent residence in Budva for an extended period, with his actual residence being in Danilovgrad, which fulfills the criteria for dismissal under Article 65, point 2 of the Law on Local Self-Government, indicating that a Mayor’s mandate ends upon a change of residence.

“Furthermore, I am aware that Mr. Milo Božović also maintains a permanent residence in Belgrade, which necessitates legal assistance to verify these claims and obtain written affirmation from the Serbian authorities,” Dokić stated.

Božović’s Salary Beyond MPA’s Authority

She reminded that the Government had set a deadline of March 25 of the previous year for the Budva Municipal Assembly to execute the necessary strategic measures and suspend Božović.

“The Budva Municipal Council, by appointing me as Vice President and enacting the modified Strategic Plan, circumvented compulsory administration. Following my unjust dismissal initiated by Božović on December 2, and with no strategic plan drafted, I firmly believe that conditions are ripe for implementing the Government of Montenegro’s Decision from March 2024 regarding Božović’s suspension or dismissal and instituting compulsory administration to form a governing board,” Dokić warned in her communication.

Since March 2020, Božović has failed to submit any reports to the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption while leveraging his positions within the municipality on three separate occasions—first as vice-mayor in the summer of 2022, then following Marko Bata Carevic’s resignation as the Mayor, and later being re-elected as Budva’s mayor after the 2022 elections.

Dokić’s letters remained without response.

The Public Administration Department informed “Vijesti” that issues concerning income payments fall outside their jurisdiction, as they belong to local government authority.

The editorial team at “Vijesti” acquired details about Božović’s income through the “Ask the Institution” application developed by the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS).

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