1. Self-financed funds for the past five years
The self-financed funds of Kaohsiung city for the second half of 1999 and final accounts of 2000 are totaled at $46,985,315,000 (one year equivalent). The figure fell by 4.65% in the final accounts of 2001, grew by 4.97% in the final accounts of 2002, grew by 6.30% in the budget of 2003, and fell by 0.90% in budget of 2004. The four-year average growth rate is 1.43%. The percentage of self-financed funds to the total annual revenue shows gradual drop over the years. It was recorded at 90.09% for the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000. The ratio dropped to 66.17% in 2004, indicating that the city is depending more and more on funds from higher authorities. After offsetting the annual expenditure against the annual revenues, the shortfall is financed with bonds and loans. The shortfall rose from $9,622,922,000 in the second half of 1999 and 2000 to $13,988,041,000 in 2004, registering an increase of $4,365,119,000 or 45.36%. Although the city’s self-financed funds increased in the past five years, the growing annual expenditure has made the city more dependent on subsidies from higher authorities; as well, the city has become deeper in debt.
2. Annual revenue for the past five years
The annual revenue registered in the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000 is $52,154,220,000 (one year equivalent). The figure fell by 0.10% as registered in the final accounts of 2001, grew by 14.82% in the final accounts of 2002, grew by 8.50% in the budget of 2003 and grew by 15.34% in the budget of 2004, an average growth of 9.64%. Taxes are the primary source of annual revenue followed by allowance subsidies. Tax revenues grew from $35,017,687,000 in the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000 (one year equivalent) to $37,901,699,000 registered in the budget of 2004, an increase of $2,884,012,000 or 8.24%. Subsidies grew from $5,168,905,000 recorded in the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000 (one year equivalent) to $25,324,226,000 in budget of 2004, registering an increase of $20,155,321 or 389.93%. According to the above statistics, the city’s annual revenue had a gradual increase over the past five years. Except trust management revenue and revenues from other sources that carry negative growth, revenue from taxes, fees and fines, public properties, subsidies, and surplus of public enterprises have been rising.
3. Annual expenditure for the past five years
The annual expenditure recorded in final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000 is $60,073,165,000 (one year equivalent). The figure grew by 3.67% in the final accounts of 2001. In other year, the expenditure grew 12.42% in the final accounts of 2002, 4.36% in budget of 2003 and 15.48% in the budget of 2004, indicating an average growth of 8.98%. In 2004, expenditures for economic development took the place of the category of education, science and culture and became the top listed annual expenditure. Education, science and culture took the second place. Expenditures for economic development rose from $9,352,154,000 registered in the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000 (one year equivalent) to $27,091,280,000 in budget of 2004, indicating an increase of $17,739,126,000 or 189.68%. Education, science and culture grew from $17,650,234,000 as recorded in the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000 (one year equivalent) to $18,296,270,000 in the budget of 2004, registering an increase of $646,036,000 or 3.66%. According to the above statistics, the city’s annual expenditure was on a gradual hike over the past five years. Except community development and environmental protection and police administration, expenditures for economic development; education, science and culture; social welfare; retirement and compassionate aids; general administration, liabilities and others expenditures have been on the rise.
4. Personnel expenditure for the past five years
The percentage of personnel expenditure to total annual expenditure is 50.24% as recorded in the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000, 52.12% for the final accounts of 2001, 47.84% for the final accounts of 2002, 22.13% for the budget of 2003 and 19.08% for the budget of 2004, registering an average of 38.28%. Personnel expenditure fell from $30,180 million as registered in the final accounts of the second half of 1999 and 2000 (one year equivalent) to $16,120 million planned in the budget of 2004, a decrease of $14,078 million or 46.65%.