form of government:

Mayor/Municipal Council

legislative body:

Municipal Council (33 councilors)

election schedule:

4 years

population:

63,532 (2001 census)

territory of municipal communities:

60,000 ha

1 city, 18 villages

budget:

BGN 13,123,000 (20020

structure of budget:

Tax Revenues - 45%

Non-tax Revenues - 23%

National Grants - 25%

Other - 7%

structure of budget expenditures:

Labor - 52%

Other Budget Expenditures - 43%

Capital Outlays - 5%

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General Administration - 7%

Defense and Protection - 0.2%

Education - 47.5%

Healthcare - 3.1%

Social Care - 14%

Housing, Public Works and Environment - 18.5%

Recreation, Culture and Religion - 6.9%

Business Services - 3%

Reserve Credit - 0.5%

socio-economic information:

Median Monthly Per Capita Income - N/A

Unemployment Rate (2001) - 17.4%

Level of Education:

Primary - 57%

Secondary Special - 29%

Secondary General - 7%

Higher /including college/ - 7%

five major employers or companies:

Balkanpharma AG

Amilum Bulgaria AG

Druzhba AG

Mlin 97 AG

Sting Ltd.

contact information:

Mr. Venelin Ouzounov

Mayor

Phone: +359.84.660.091

Fax: +359.84.660.090

Email: [email protected]

Mr. Lyubomir Tsonev

Deputy-Mayor

Phone: +359.84.660.095

Ms. Stanka Angelova

Deputy-Mayor

Phone: +359.84.660.400

Ms. Elka Nedelcheva

Chief PR Expert

Phone: +359.84.618.147