“Even though costs are rising, La Orotava City Council will maintain municipal taxes and fees at the same level for the upcoming year.” This statement was made yesterday during a press conference by the mayor, Francisco Linares (CC), alongside the Councilor for the Treasury, Felipe David Benítez.
Both the mayor and the councilor reminded attendees that the Town Council provides almost a hundred different bonuses available to all residents and encouraged them to check the municipal website for more information and to apply for these benefits.
Among the key offerings, Benítez highlighted the refuse collection fee, which includes a 50% discount for individuals with a disability exceeding 33%, retirees, and businesses, as well as a 30% reduction for large families. These families can also enjoy the same discount on the Real Estate Tax (IBI), also referred to as Contribution, and the water supply charge.
To further encourage sustainability, families opting for the installation of solar panels will benefit from a 40% decrease in the IBI for a duration of 20 years. The councilor believes this initiative positions the municipality “among the top ten” and it has already aided over 1,300 households.
Additionally, to promote the adoption of solar energy systems for both thermal and electrical purposes, a 95% reduction is provided on the construction and works tax, and a 90% discount for the fees associated with the preservation and restoration of properties situated within the historical district.
As for taxation, the Treasury Mayor mentioned that vehicle taxes have decreased by 13.3% over the last six years, and contributions have declined by 28% in the previous decade. Moreover, certain taxes have been reduced by 90%. Consequently, “in recent times, taxes and fees have remained unchanged and not one additional cent has been collected from residents; rather, they have been lowered,” he stressed.
He further emphasized that “the city council invests more than twice the amount it collects per resident, which exceeds 50 million euros. The revenue continues to be lower than that of the state, the province, and municipalities of comparable size, all while maintaining services and activities without charging even one euro more to the locals,” and it continues to serve as “the economic driving force in the North, with 594 companies generating over one million euros in revenue.”
This information aims to “debunk the myth that La Orotava imposes the highest taxes,” said the mayor. Furthermore, he noted, “we stand below many other municipalities in Tenerife, the Canary Islands, and throughout Spain.”
Linares also clarified that the principal source of income does not originate from tax revenues, but rather from financial assistance from other administrations; specifically, from the Cabildo of Tenerife and the Governments of the Canary Islands and the central government.
“Thanks to the aforementioned support and the effective management of expenditures, including what is spent and the methods employed, a perfect synergy has been created,” the president stated. Simultaneously, he praised the residents for being compliant, as they meet their payment obligations “punctually.”
