Magong City Seeks County Support for Economic Stimulus Payments

Magong City is appealing to the Penghu County Government for financial assistance to implement a stimulus payment plan. The city government has formally requested support to distribute 5,000 New Taiwan Dollars per person, aiming to boost the local economy.

This move follows pressure from a mayoral candidate's campaign promise and recommendations from city council members who urged the city to follow the example of other townships in the county that have already issued similar economic relief funds. However, Magong City faces substantial financial limitations, with limited revenue growth and pressing needs for essential expenditures like salaries, infrastructure, and social welfare.

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According to the Local Government Act, local autonomous bodies may, depending on their financial capacity, handle autonomous matters related to social welfare, local economic development, and resident welfare.

The city estimates that a full payout of 5,000 NTD to its approximately 62,726 residents as of late June would require over 313 million NTD. This figure far exceeds the city's available financial resources and its borrowing capacity under the Public Debt Act. Consequently, the city is proposing a cost-sharing arrangement, suggesting the county government contribute 3,500 NTD per person while the city covers the remaining 1,500 NTD.

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The city treasury's finances cannot bear it. We kindly request the Penghu County Government to agree to jointly subsidize the distribution, with the city hall providing 1,500 NTD per person and the Penghu County Government subsidizing 3,500 NTD.