Ceyhun Kırok, the Mayor of Çatalköy Esentepe Municipality, stated that they brought financial discipline to the municipality, which they inherited with a deficit of 65 million TL, and balanced income and expenses, bringing it back on track.
Kırok noted that since taking office in 2022, he has served the entire population without discrimination and that he is seeking another term.
Kırok evaluated his three years in office today at a dinner press conference held at Eziç Restaurant in Lefkoşa.
He stated that in the last two and a half years, they have significantly increased the employees’ Provident Fund savings, increased the welfare of the employees by adding 33% of the gross minimum wage to their salaries, paid off all provident fund debts, and are the only municipality that invests at the maximum rate of 8%. In his presentation, Kırok gave examples of projects affecting the social life of Çatalköy-Esentepe Municipality, stating that the “Çatalköy Public Beach,” “Esentepe Coastal Walking Path,” “Bahçeli Coastal Walking Path and Beach,” “nature park within 26 acres,” “Çatalköy Sports and Activity Center,” “new municipal building,” “health center,” “police station,” and “2-4 year old preschool education center” projects are progressing. Çatalköy-Esentepe Mayor Ceyhun Kırok, in a press conference evaluating his three-year term, shared comprehensive data on the transformation achieved in the municipality’s financial, social, and institutional structure with the public. Kırok emphasized that when they took office, the municipality was facing a debt of 65 million TL, but today it has reached a debt-free structure capable of financing its investments with its own resources. FROM 65 MILLION TO A STRONG FINANCIAL STRUCTURE
Mayor Kırok stated that the debt burden created after the merger of the two municipalities; He stated that the outstanding debts consisted of unpaid pension fund debts, debts to tradesmen, and obligations that remained unpaid despite court rulings, even though deductions were made from salaries between 2008 and 2016. Despite this situation, Kırok said that investments were not abandoned for three years, and that today the municipality has reached a position where it manages project financing worth approximately 300 million TL.
PERSONNEL EXPENSES REDUCED, RIGHTS STRENGTHENED
Kırok stated that in 2022, personnel expenses constituted 53.5% of the budget, and that this rate was reduced to 40.44% within three years. He emphasized that this reduction, amounting to approximately 70 million TL, did not mean cuts in services or employees; on the contrary, it strengthened the personal rights of employees. Stating that provident fund investments were increased within the scope of the collective bargaining agreement signed with the union, Kırok said that the investments, based on the principle of 4% employer + 4% employee, were gradually increased to 8.21% and 10.13%. He noted that with these investments made in the last 2.5 years, provident fund savings have reached significant levels and that this is an important security for employees during their retirement period.
DEBTS PAID OFF, INTEREST ZEROED
President Kırok announced that all provident fund debts from the past have been paid off, that a payment of 21 million TL for the year 2025 was made in a single payment, and that all retroactive debts from the 2008-2016 period were fully paid in August. He also stated that all past personnel tax debts were also paid off. Referring to interest expenses, Kırok stated that the interest burden, which was 0.15 percent in 2022, was completely eliminated from 2023 onwards, that the municipality did not use any loans or overdrafts from any bank, and that no accounts fell into negative territory after January-February 2023.
OWN REVENUES INCREASED, DEPENDENCE ON THE STATE DECREASED
Stating that approximately 60 percent of the municipality’s revenues in 2022 consisted of state contributions, Kırok said that this contribution was almost only sufficient for salary payments. He noted that at the point reached today, the municipality can cover approximately 70 percent of its expenses with its own revenues, while the state contribution has decreased to around 31 percent.
REGULAR MONITORING IN SOCIAL SECURITY
Stating that social security debts have been restructured and there are no current problems, Kırok said that individual missing investments from previous years may occasionally surface, and these are paid within the legal framework. “We stand behind every monthly allocation,” said Kırok, emphasizing that this item has never been neglected.
RECORD SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION FROM THE MUNICIPALITY
Highlighting the investments made in education, Mayor Kırok stated that a new school with a capacity of 500 students, covering an area of ​​2,000 square meters and a closed area of ​​1,173 square meters, was built from scratch in Çatalköy. In addition, he noted that 3 classes for 4-year-olds and a preschool section with 5 classes were implemented. Emphasizing that property taxes provide limited revenue, Kırok explained that despite this, the municipality’s budget allocated to education has increased exponentially every year:
•2023: 393 thousand TL
•2024: 5 million 295 thousand TL
•2025: 11 million 958 thousand TL
These figures are only from the municipality’s own budget, accurate.

He stated that there were amounts allocated to education.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND VEHICLE FLEET STRENGTHENED
Kırok said that current transfer expenses were reduced, while capital expenditures were increased, indicating that the municipality’s assets were growing. He stated that approximately 37 vehicles were added to the municipal fleet in the last three years, some of which were brand new large construction machines and some were service vehicles aged 4-6 years. “THIS REGION BELONGS TO ALL OF US”
President Kırok emphasized that all these efforts were based on common sense, financial discipline, and a sense of social responsibility, saying, “This region belongs to all of us, these children are all our children and our future.” The statements revealed that Çatalköy-Esentepe Municipality has achieved an exemplary municipal model by paying off its debts, strengthening employee rights, and investing in education and social life after three years.