Petrer presented the project the municipal budget for 2024 which amounts to 28.8 million euros. He Councilor for Finance, Ramón Povedahe was in charge of presenting the accounts that already are the local socialist government team agreedand whose most important item for the next annuity is, as every year, item z employees in the amount of 11.8 million eurosa third of which is for security and public order.
The second most important area is the designated one care and maintenance of the city: street cleaning, garbage collection, protection of parks and gardenspublic roads, lighting maintenance, electricity and fuels in which More than 10 million euros are invested from the municipal coffers of which the amount allocated to street cleaning, waste collection and waste treatment in the amount of 4.5 million euros.
Regarding advice The area of social services stands out. “Being on the side of the people was and is our hallmark”, in the words of Poveda. The budget allocated to this department is exceeded 3 million euros. “Once the Office for the Development of the Valencian Inclusive Income is launched, we hope, as in other years, to continue to be a reference at the regional level in help in addiction”pointed out.
According to the areas, the local executive consolidates the significant increase that it has already achieved in its time, and has achieved 600,000 euros to support employment. in Education, After a significant investment in the study room, the municipal contribution of 1.4 million euros for future projects and investments and v Sportsrebuilding this year inner poolin which 3.2 million euros have already been invested as part of previous annuities, and allocated 1.4 million euros for the maintenance of the facilities and the promotion of the sport.
in Culture and festivalswith an investment of approximately 1.7 million euros, which “will help to consolidate all the cultural offer that we have developed in Petrer over the years, of which we highlight the Dámaso Navarro Museum“, as the councilor noted.
New budget increases by 3.5% compared to the previous year and will again meet the legal requirement for their approval by the end of 2023something that few city councils adhere to, namely In Petrer’s case, it is expected that a extremely full on December 14.
Costs are rising
Councilor for Finance Ramón Poveda detailed this Over the past four years, city council spending has increased by 5.5 million. The expenditure section was prepared with the greatest care “mainly take care of utility costs, which are largely in deficit given the rise in the cost of goods and services’ mainly because of the increase electricity costs; for an increase in garbage collection or cleaning of streets, parks and gardens; and increase in personnel costs; to which we must add a general increase in the prices of all purchased services and goods.
““We will carry the majority of this surplus on the assumption that it will be the savings that will arise from removing bank debt, in addition to the rubbish rate, which we are required by law to adjust to the cost of the service.”said the financial board.
Poveda emphasized it There will be no increase in taxes or decrease in services provided by the City Council. “Although initially some maintenance items will be limited, they will be replaced starting in March budget for 2023 and we can use the savings created in recent years for new investments in 2024″the councilor indicated.
The local executive has already held two meetings with opposition groups and announced that he would be thirdWhereas the “We intend to achieve budgets that are as consensual as possible, where the interests of the people of Petrer come first.”.
Big investments for 2024
Regarding investmentsCouncilor for the Ministry of Finance Ramón Poveda announced that most of them will stay subject to remaining cash, which should be available in March. Poveda pointed out that, just like in previous years, these too “municipal savings” will make about 9 million euros, which will be divided into various items.
For Poveda, the main investment that will be solved with these savings is the implementation of the comprehensive reconstruction project of Plaça de Baix, announced last October. In which the Roman basilica will be restored above ground with cobblestones and pedestrian areas will be expanded. Using paving stones, the new project will restore the silhouette of the basilica on the square and the possibility of projection surface excavations.
Project sa budget of 1.8 million euros which will be 50% funded by the Alicante Provincial Council, will involve the execution of a uniform paving throughout the square using paving stones of different colors which It will create a unique platform expanding the pedestrian area of the square, which will grow on both sides, will keep traffic in front of the town hall and the church. In addition, potted vegetation, mobile furniture and a ground-level fountain will be introduced to adapt to the various celebrations that the square hosts.
Poveda assured that although thanks cash balance There are many investments that can be started in the city, “We would like to not have to live on savings, but it is important that even in March the citizens see that they continue to invest in the village. We hope that it will be a big investment.” The rest of the investments will be known later.