Municipal reform in Tomsk Region, from goals to results

On January 1, 2006 Federal Law № 131 of October 06, 2003 "On general principles of organization of local self-government in the Russian Federation" was launched on the territory of the Russian Federation. This law became the basis for the reform of local self-government in the Russian Federation. The period of the reform of local government can be divided into two stages. The main objective of the first phase of reforms (2006-2010) was the territorial and structural organization of local government; the most important task of the second stage (2011-2012) is a change in the economic basis of local government. The main aim of the article is to find solutions to the key problems of the second stage of the reform of local government on the territory of Tomsk Region. The information base for the study was the normative legal acts of the regional and municipal levels of government in Tomsk Region. In order to solve the economic problems of the municipal areas in Tomsk region a number of measures aimed at achieving greater independence of local self-government have been taken: 1. Change of the legal status of municipal institutions. The new status of institutions means, on the one hand, the obligatory fulfillment of the state order, and, on the other, more freedom and independence in the management of resources. Financial freedom does not change, but assumes control over the quality of services provided. Thus, the reform of public institutions is followed by the reform of municipal services. 2. Formation of a system for monitoring the quality and accessibility of public and municipal services. The region has approved a program of activities designed for 2011-2013, key units of which are the development of a system for monitoring and controlling the quality of fulfillment of state and municipal functions in Tomsk Region and modernization of public and municipal services. 3. Development and support of small and medium enterprises. Active realization of a long-term program which brings together the executive bodies of state power and local government of Tomsk Region for the support and development of small and medium enterprises began in the area. 4. Addressing staffing issues. In 2011, the Tomsk Oblast Administration has approved a program which aimed at retraining specialists in state and municipal management. The second phase of the reform cannot be regarded as complete today as it requires further work to provide a regulatory framework necessary to improve the fiscal and budgetary spheres of local government, and for the practical implementation of measures aimed at increasing the financial autonomy of local budgets. Solutions of existing financial problems will have a direct impact not only on the level of economic development of the municipalities but also on the quality of municipal services.

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