Budget 2023: Kerkrade shows solid financial basis with room for investment
With the 2023 budget, the College of Mayor and Aldermen presents a financial household book that is in excellent shape. At a time when many municipalities in the Netherlands are facing austerity challenges, the municipality of Kerkrade is going to invest in the town without increasing the burden on its citizens. It is also going to support entrepreneurs by collecting only half of the precario and advertising tax by 2023.
In addition to its residents and entrepreneurs, the municipality considers it important to support associations where necessary. Alderman Jo Paas (Finance): "Just at this time with skyrocketing inflation and an energy crisis, people are having a hard enough time as it is. As a municipality, we try to help where we can."
Attacking housing policy
The municipality chooses an offensive housing policy in the coming years: the housing offensive. Building good quality housing in a good quality living environment where the housing meets the needs of house seekers. This means sufficient supply of social housing, but also sufficient supply in other segments.
Funds have also been released for the municipality's operations, investments are being made in new personnel and in information and communication technology (ICT). This is with the goal of further optimizing services to residents.
Investing in roads
In addition, the municipality of Kerkrade is working to further improve its infrastructure. After all, a vital town needs a vital road network. By cooperating more with partners in the region, the municipality also aims to realize projects more quickly.
However, investments in such areas as educational development, sustainability, safety and livability in the neighborhoods as well as the continuation of the poverty and debt policy, show that the municipality of Kerkrade is working in all respects towards a good future perspective for the town and its residents.
Citizen Participation
Finally, the municipal budget also shows that the college is actively engaged in citizen participation. Residents are allowed to participate, think and decide on many of the plans that are made for a specific neighborhood or for Kerkrade as a whole.
Kerkrade shows its strength
Alderman Jo Paas, portfolio holder for finance, believes the municipality can be proud of the budget for the coming period. "Despite uncertain and sometimes difficult times, we show our strength with this budget. All in all, we managed to balance the budget for 2023 and beyond. With this we show that we are a self-confident municipality working for a future in which we have enough bacon on our bones to cope with unforeseen circumstances."
"The year 2026 does represent another point of attention, if the national government follows through on plans to pay out less money to municipalities for all their tasks," Alderman Paas finally stressed.
On Nov. 9, 2023, the Kerkrade City Council will consider the budget.