1. Form of governance

Mayor - Municipal Council

2. Legislative body

Municipal Council of 51 councilors, elected by the citizens. Mayor's team (deputy mayors and municipal secretary) is ap pointed by the mayor.

3. Term

4 years

4. Population

200,000

5. Territory of municipality, communities

1,100 sq. km; cities - 1, villages - 49

6. Budget (annual)

1998 -- BGN 37,588,844

7. Structure of budget revenues

Subsidies from national budget BGN 8,072,427
Local revenues from:
- taxes and fees
- lease of municipal property and privatization.
- other
Miscellaneous BGN 1,400,000

8. Employees paid by municipal budget

As of Apr 1, 1998, total of 7,109, including:
government - 211
education - 3,122
healthcare - 3,124
social care - 393
culture - 129
other - 130

9. Number of employees at police and fire departments

Police and fire departments are state instituions. Within the municipal administration, there is Municipal Police of 39 officers with limited authority, reporting to the mayor.

10. Socio-economic information: Average annual income per household

Average monthly income per person from one household:
March, 1998 - BGN 101 ($55.7)
April, 1998 - BGN 117 ($65)
Level of education (%):
pre-primary 0.35
primary 9.75
secondary 54.35
undergraduate 9.41
graduate 26.13

11.Five major employers and/or industrial companies (number of employees)

1. AGROBIOCHIM AG
2. HRANINVEST-HRANMASHCOMPLECT AG
3. DISC MEMORY UNITS
4. RED FLAG MACHINE-BUILDING PLANT
(PART OF HRANINVEST - HRANMASHCOMPLECT)
5. BEROE AG
Total number of employees: 9,000