For the first time in several years, the government team has crafted a budget in a timely manner, enabling it to take effect on January 1, 2025. “This is a significant achievement for this City Council,” stated the mayor of Puerto de la Cruz, Leopoldo Afonso, who unveiled the fiscal plans for the upcoming year alongside the Councillor for Finance, Pedro Antonio Campos, and his fellow coalition members from the ACP, David Hernández, and CC, Alonso Acevedo.
The financial document outlining the municipal government’s priorities totals 45,952,205 euros for this year, reflecting a 5.29% increase from 2024’s budget. This figure is further supplemented by an allocation of 980,000 euros to the Local Autonomous Body (OAL); 480,000 euros from the Archaeological Museum’s Board of Trustees; and an estimated 2,000 euros in profits from the public corporation Pamarsa, which is expected to contribute around 1.7 million annually. This will be submitted for approval at the Plenary session on Friday.
“These are the most socially-focused budgets in the city’s history,” declared the mayor, noting that 3.1 million euros are earmarked for social policies, “because the well-being of our citizens is our top priority,” he emphasised. This category encompasses home help, support for at-risk families, youth and elderly protection, assistance for the homeless, grants to third sector organisations, and investments in education and animal welfare.
Among the goals laid out by the coalition for the new year are maintaining current tax levels, boosting social expenditure, strengthening the municipal workforce, enhancing public services, promoting economic and social growth, achieving budgetary stability, and establishing a contingency fund.
The latter is a key new feature, with a provision of 139,000 euros allocated to address unforeseen emergencies, including payroll obligations for the public company Pamarsa or legal rulings.
In addition, there will be the creation of 166 new posts for civil servants and 129 for staff, facilitated by agreements with the trade unions. This increase in personnel aims to improve citizen services and expedite the resolution of administrative matters, raising the personnel budget above 17 million euros.
The Finance Councillor detailed the allocations for various sectors, highlighting those towards public services, with 12.2 million earmarked to quickly tender and award new contracts for municipal office cleaning and gardening, thereby enhancing services for residents. Additional funds include 5,132.33 euros for Security and Mobility; 4,782,078 euros for Culture, of which 800,000 euros will be dedicated to the Municipal Culture Plan; and 1,194,539 euros for Economic Development to support tourism initiatives.
On the topic of Festivals, in light of the current Government’s critique of the previous administration’s “excesses” (PSOE), Campos clarified that the Municipal Plan will reach 300,000 euros but will focus “on high-quality events, while also considering contributions from other administrations,” he remarked.
Lastly, he confirmed that by the end of February, the current budget will be reconciled, making the Remaining Treasury available at the beginning of March 2025, thereby facilitating a budget modification to finance grants and municipal investments.
