This year, the Municipality of Bijelo Polje has delegated additional city planning tasks to the Parking Service, rather than to the Komunalno “Lim” company, despite such work not being their main function. The opposition argues that this shift stems from strained relations between Mayor Petar Smolović and the Municipality. Conversely, the Municipality intends this decision as a means to ease the workload of the company. In contrast, Director Muradif Grbović claims he is unsure why these responsibilities were handed to another municipal entity.

“A prime example of the dysfunction within Bijelo Polje’s local government is illustrated through the dynamics between Mayor Petar Smolović (DPS) and utility company director Muradif Grbović (BS). The citizens ultimately bear the brunt of this ongoing conflict, as legally mandated responsibilities of the utility company—such as maintaining public spaces, cleaning streets, and delineating parking areas—are being handled by the Parking Service and the Protection and Rescue Service upon Smolović’s instruction,” asserted Democrat councilor Marko Djukic, highlighting a conflict between public duty and private interests.

Smolović claimed he was not the one to address the issue and redirected it to the Secretary of Housing and Communal Affairs. Dusko Ružić and Parking Service Director Ismar Corovic both reiterated that the shift was to relieve the Municipal Department, which efficiently fulfills its responsibilities but faces an overwhelming workload.

Grbović, the Municipal Service director, expressed that he was unaware of the reason behind the reassignment of tasks to the Parking Service. He acknowledged that specific duties previously handled by the Municipal Service have been outsourced to other companies but claimed ignorance regarding the allocation to entities lacking such obligations.

According to unverified reports, Komunalno Lim is reportedly losing approximately 150 thousand annually, equivalent to the total monthly salaries of all its employees due to this redistribution of work.

In response to inquiries regarding Komunalno’s financial losses because of contract awards to other firms, Grbović indicated that their operations are not solely reliant on public interests; they also engage in projects for third parties, which are increasingly in demand.

“In less than two years, Komunalno Lim has invested about one million euros into its fleet, primarily financed through its budget, alongside significant funds from the Municipality,” noted Grbović, who refrained from commenting on whether awarding contracts to alternate companies negatively impacts their cooperation with the Municipality, emphasizing his desire not to delve into the underlying reasons for such allocations, especially since he has already discussed the matter with Mayor Smolović.

Ćorović stated that, in collaboration with the Municipality and the Municipal Department, they have assumed responsibilities for park maintenance.

“These duties were assigned to our company through the competent Secretariat as part of a coordinated effort by local authorities to swiftly and effectively address citizen needs. Due to the Public Utility Company’s excessive workload, some smaller and less technically demanding tasks, such as fence repairs, bench painting, and minor park improvements, have been delegated to us, clearly outlining the responsibilities. In addition to these new tasks, the Parking Service continues to carry out its usual duties, including delineating road markings, maintaining traffic signs, lights, bollards, and ramps, as per our agreements with the relevant Secretariat,” explained Ćorović.

Ružić mentioned that the Municipal Department is overwhelmed, with new responsibilities including asylum services and road renovations.

“The citizens want us to engage all services and institutions to collaboratively repair and enhance city infrastructure quickly. For example, in addition to the municipal service, firefighters are also cleaning the city and watering green areas, while the Parking Service is marking signs, and the Sports Secretariat is heavily involved in improving sports facilities. We are united in our efforts to enhance the city, and every public company must work together in service of the citizens,” stated Ružić.

He reminded everyone that there is a budget line for “transfers to public enterprises for public area maintenance” and that the performing public enterprise can undertake supplementary utility tasks as well.

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