Kerkrade continues to invest in the future

Occasional windfall provides room for smart choices. 

The 2024 financial statements of the municipality of Kerkrade show an incidental positive result of €6,419,000. This windfall gives the municipality air in financially challenging times and makes it possible to make strategic choices for the future.

Additional funds from the state give room in 2025

The positive outcome is mainly due to additional revenues and an additional contribution from the Rijksoverheid, which became available at the end of 2024. As a result, the money could only be used to a limited extent in that year. The Municipal Executive now proposes to the City Council that most of this amount - 6,014,000 euros - be deployed in 2025 to cushion the impact of structural deficits. The remaining 405,000 euros the college wants to reserve for future deployment.

Steering for certainty in an uncertain financial future

While this windfall is welcome, the long-term financial outlook remains uncertain. The May Circular 2025 offers municipalities temporary additional compensation through 2027, including for youth care. After that, this support falls away. As of 2028, a substantial deficit - the so-called "ravine year" - is again at risk because national agreements on structural funding are still pending. Nevertheless, Kerkrade is choosing not to continue waiting, but to proactively continue building a future-proof town.

Continue to invest in what matters

Alderman Jo Paas (Finance): "This windfall gives us the opportunity to temporarily soften sharp choices, but it does not change the structural task. What is needed is sustainable financial security. We will use that space to continue investing in what really matters: living, welfare and working in Kerkrade."

The municipality continues to invest in housing construction, sustainable infrastructure, livable neighborhoods and projects such as VIE. Kerkrade also remains committed to continued improvement in the areas of safety, health and equity.

Together strong towards The Hague

The city, together with other municipalities, continues to demand structural attention from the state for the financial position of local governments. Because only with a stable financial basis can we as a town continue to do what is necessary - for all residents. Kerkrade remains on course. Because investing in the future is not only desirable - it is necessary.