Kim asks for the names of the deputies who are blocking a benefit for Nibulon: 100 million UAH and the company's departure are at risk

During a session of the Mykolaiv city council on 26 March, the head of the regional military administration, Vitaliy Kim, said the city risks losing at least 100 million hryvnias a year if council members do not support exempting the company “Nibulon” from land payments, and asked to be given the names of those representatives who voted against it.

The head of the region recalled that the issue of exemptions for the enterprise did not receive support at the budget committee meeting, despite prior agreements between the city authorities and the owner of “Nibulon” regarding compensatory measures in the form of transferring some employees so they would pay taxes in Mykolaiv.

“— I see that we pay a lot of attention to household issues that should be handled on their own, and loud statements are made around them. At the same time, truly serious topics remain unattended. For example, Mykolaiv could lose about 100 million hryvnias a year because the budget committee did not support the issue regarding ‘Nibulon’. Oleksandr Sienkevych and I spoke separately with the owner about exemptions for land they cannot use — a similar practice has already been implemented in Koblivska and other communities. We agreed that the enterprise would compensate for these exemptions by transferring additional people here to pay taxes in Mykolaiv — that’s another 20 million for the budget,” said Vitaliy Kim.

According to the head of the regional military administration, if deputies continue to refuse, the city will incur not only budget losses but also risks losing the taxpayer itself, as the company is considering relocating to another location.

“— The company wants to remain in Mykolaiv and pay taxes, but the deputies do not hear them. And they say: ‘If we are not heard, we may move to another city, including Kyiv.’ That is at least 100 million hryvnias lost each year, not counting reputational damage. If we lose these funds, there will be no money for repairing the water supply or for public improvements, because right now we have a deficit and there is nowhere to take every million from,” the head of the RMA said.

Kim separately asked the council staff to provide a list of deputies who did not support the decision so he could name them publicly, and he initiated returning the issue to the session agenda.

«— Please give me the list of those who did not support this issue… I want to return it so that the city does not lose 100 million hryvnias, — he said.»

During the discussion, council member Andriy Yantar explained his position, saying he voted against because of improper treatment in communication with him.

«— I did not vote. I was against it because I do not want to be spoken to rudely like that, — said Andriy Yantar.»

The head of the RMA replied that personal insults should not influence decisions with significant financial consequences for the community.

«— Even when I do not like how someone speaks to me, I put the interests of the state or the city above my personal ones… because of rudeness the city might fail to secure 100 million hryvnias, — he noted.»

Mayor Oleksandr Sienkevych, commenting on Nibulon’s appeal, noted that the company is asking for exemptions because it cannot fully use parts of its territories and waters, and as a compromise proposes to bring employees from other cities to Mykolaiv.

«— Regarding the ‘Nibulon’ issue, I think we will refine it. The enterprise is asking for exemptions because it actually cannot use the water area. On the one hand, it was attacked and there may be mined territories. On the other hand, they cannot physically go to sea because the Russians occupy the Kinburn Spit. The situation is that they are forced to pay for a water area they do not use. Land is one issue, and the water area is quite another. As compensation for these exemptions, the company proposes to transfer some of its employees who currently work at their enterprises in other cities to Mykolaiv. I support this approach and suggest discussing it, — said the mayor.»

Earlier, on Wednesday, 25 March, the budget committee of the Mykolaiv city council did not support Nibulon’s request for an exemption from rent payments for land potentially contaminated with explosive devices: during the vote on preparing a draft decision and bringing the issue to the session, 7 committee members voted in favor and another 4 abstained.

At the same time, the company said it may reconsider its presence in Mykolaiv if the decision to grant exemptions is not made, while city council member Serhii Kantor publicly expressed outrage at threats from Nibulon’s lawyer to take taxes from Mykolaiv to Kyiv.

Earlier we wrote:

• There is money, but not for everyone: Mykolaiv increased the budget by hundreds of millions, while culture was left on the brink of survival
• Money for risk: Kim announced economic incentives for frontline Mykolaiv region
• Nibulon demands: unblocking the ports of Mykolaiv and Kherson is a key condition of the future agreement
• Mykolaiv deputies ask the Cabinet of Ministers for nearly half a billion hryvnias in aid
• Five more large enterprises in the Mykolaiv region are considering resuming operations, – Kim