Criticism Grows Over Sundsvall's Higher Taxes Compared to Örnsköldsvik
Sundsvall's higher municipal taxes spark criticism over governance and financial management compared to Örnsköldsvik.
Key Points
- • Sundsvall faces criticism for having higher municipal taxes than Örnsköldsvik, despite being larger.
- • Lack of business experience among Sundsvall's leaders is blamed for poor economic management.
- • Significant costs associated with Sundsvall's airport contrast with Östersund's lack of similar expenses.
- • Recent departures of key business officials suggest a troubling governance culture in Sundsvall.
Recent discussions have intensified over Sundsvall's municipal tax policies, spotlighting concerns that the city imposes a higher tax burden than its neighboring municipality, Örnsköldsvik, despite being considerably larger. An opinion piece published on July 1, 2025, argues that this discrepancy is symptomatic of broader governance issues and financial mismanagement within Sundsvall's municipal leadership.
The author of the piece emphasizes that Sundsvall's city officials lack sufficient business experience, resulting in flawed economic strategies that negatively impact long-term growth. This critique is underscored by Sundsvall's troubling position in rankings related to business climate, education, and entrepreneurship, which, according to the article, requires accountability from those elected to lead these key sectors (Source ID: 9081).
A significant point of contention is Sundsvall's annual expenditure on its airport, which runs into tens of millions, an expense not shared by Östersund. This financial burden is seen as a contrast that further exacerbates Sundsvall's competitive disadvantage (ID: 9081). Moreover, questionable spending practices have raised eyebrows, including claims that municipal employees are engaged in multiple taxpayer-funded external roles, and the prioritization of costly renovations for sports facilities that limited numbers of residents use, which hint at potential misallocations of municipal funds.
The departure of prominent officials like Anders Johansson and Anders Uddén, who were advocates for business-focused policies, is viewed as indicative of a concerning trend within Sundsvall's governance culture that may not foster innovation or independent thinking among city leaders. The author expresses that with its larger population, Sundsvall should ideally be positioned to enjoy lower taxes than Örnsköldsvik, as a strategy to attract new residents and investments, enhancing the city's growth prospects.
In conclusion, the piece urges the Social Democrats and the Left Party in Sundsvall to prioritize appointing leaders with substantive experience in business and governance. It highlights successful models in other Swedish cities, such as Gävle and Umeå, which are viewed as setting standards for effective municipal management and governance. The commentary leaves readers questioning whether Sundsvall can rectify its course in the face of increasing criticism regarding its fiscal policies and leadership effectiveness.