Avesta Municipality Proposes Budget Prioritizing Care Amid Financial Struggles
Avesta Municipality introduces a budget focusing on care and education despite financial challenges.
Key Points
- • Budget proposal prioritizes care and education amid economic challenges.
- • Projected surplus of five million kronor relies on a dividend from Gamla Byn.
- • Total turnover for 2025 estimated at 1.7 billion kronor.
- • Municipal councilor emphasizes the need for difficult prioritizations.
Amid ongoing economic challenges, Avesta Municipality has proposed a 2026 budget focused on care and education. The governing coalition of the Social Democrats (S) and the Center Party (C) aims to navigate difficulties such as a declining population and rising costs while maintaining essential municipal services.
According to the financial forecast for 2025, the municipality expects a surplus of approximately five million kronor, contributing to a total turnover of around 1.7 billion kronor. However, this projected surplus is reliant on a crucial five million kronor dividend from the local housing company, Gamla Byn. Municipal councilor Blerta Krenzi (S) noted the complexity of the situation, stating, "We have made difficult but necessary prioritizations" regarding their budget decisions.
The proposed budget aims to balance the pressing need for care and education against the backdrop of fiscal constraints, ensuring that essential services remain funded even as the municipality looks to sustain financial viability over the coming years. The governing coalition acknowledges that the next few years will demand careful management to keep the budget balanced while adhering to their commitments to education and social welfare.