Deputies of the Irkutsk City Duma ended the year by approving a balanced 2009 budget of 10 billion 15 million rubles. Ahead are new tasks, a contest for Irkutsk's anthem for the city's 350th anniversary and discussion of public transport development, including replacing minibuses with large buses.

The city Duma deputies went on New Year’s holidays today. However, before that they did a significant amount of work: they considered 18 issues and passed the hardest exam of all — preparing the city’s spending estimate for the coming year. What surprises are the lawmakers preparing for Irkutsk residents next year?
With a bouquet of flowers to the Duma session. Today is the last meeting of the deputies this year. On the agenda is the most important issue for the life of the city — the budget. Put more simply, the elected representatives need to approve everything the city will spend money on next year. The budget must be balanced so that there is enough money for everything planned. The mayor of Irkutsk was invited to the discussion. In the end, the condition was met: revenues equal expenditures — 10 billion 15 million rubles. Vladimir Yakubovsky, Mayor of Irkutsk: "Within the framework of the crisis that exists today, taxes may not come in fully, and the revenue side of the budget may not be fulfilled. And if the revenue side of the budget is not fulfilled, this budget may be adjusted. At least today, the standards that have been brought to us, including by the tax authorities, have been incorporated into the draft budget".
The draft budget for next year was adopted unanimously. After that, in an informal setting, the deputies sum up the outgoing year: they tell journalists about the achievements of the deputy corps. At 12 sessions, 265 issues were considered, and six long-term programs were adopted. But even with such a busy work schedule, the deputies found time for personal victories. Andrey Labygin, Chairman of the Duma of Irkutsk: "I was pleased to defend my candidate dissertation in law. This year, just like the previous two years of writing the work, has not been lived in vain".
They also plan to conquer new heights next year. As part of preparations for the city’s 350th anniversary, a competition for the anthem of Irkutsk will be announced. It should have no more than three verses, and the musical meter should be three-quarter time. The winner will be determined at public hearings. The deputies will also take up other, no less important issues.
Will minibuses be replaced by large buses? The deputies will tackle this issue first, since in 2008 it was not possible to find a compromise on it. The concept for the development of public transport will be considered by the deputies at the first session of the Duma in the new, 2009 year.