The draft budget of the municipality of Chisinau for next year provides for revenues of 1.782 billion lei and an expenditure of 1.848 billion lei. According to the head of the Finance Division Veronica Herta, 63.5% of the expenditure constitutes the increases in social benefits. The investment programs account for less than 5% of the spending, Info-Prim Neo reports. Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca said the draft budget is the result of the “work of the Communists” and it is at the same level as in 2007. “We have a declining budget during four years in a row, but we manage to cover all the costs,” he stated. Dorin Chirtoaca also said that next year the Chisinau administration will launch a number of investment projects that have no connection with the municipal budget. They include the extensive repair of roads, laying of sewer pipes on a number of streets, replacement of portions of water pipes. Only the reconstruction of Columna St will be covered from the budget. The draft municipal budget for 2011 will be discussed by the Chisinau Municipal Council in a meeting in December.