form of government:

Mayor - Municipal Council

legislative body:

Municipal Council (33 councilors)

election schedule:

4 years

population:

72,800

territory of municipal communities:

198.46 sq. miles

1 city, 18 villages

budget:

BGN 11,723,110 (2002)

structure of budget:

Tax Revenues - 47.31%

Non-tax Revenues - 14.93%

National Grants - 35.26%

Other - 2.5%

structure of budget expenditures:

Labor - 54.94%

Other - 37.26%

Capital Outlays - 7.8%

socio-economic information:

Unemployment Rate - 19.2% (2001)

Level of Education:

Primary and Lower - 40%

Secondary General - 7%

Secondary Special - 43.6%

College and Higher - 8%

five major employers or companies:

Dobrudzha AG - 548

Orgtechnika AG - 419

Fazerles AG - 380

Mekom AG - 225

Hrom AG - 208

contact information:

Mr. Ivo Andonov

Mayor

Phone: +359.86.22.805

Fax: +359.86.22.112

Email: [email protected]

Mr. Emil Goychev

Deputy-Mayor

Phone: +359.86.20.006

Mr. Ivelin Lozev

Deputy-Mayor

Phone: +359.86.26.686

Ms. Antonina Ogneva

Chief Architect

Phone: +359.86.26.686

Ms. Diana Bebenova

Chief Expert, International Programs and Cooperation

Phone: +359.86.816.288

Email: [email protected]