Opting for quality and stability

Dutch municipalities face major challenges in the coming years. The income that municipalities receive from the national government will be structurally reduced by billions. At the same time, the challenges in various policy areas are considerable and municipalities are being subjected to additional requirements. In addition, the costs of materials and personnel are rising. The municipality of West Maas en Waal is also affected by this. Alderman Evert-Jan Slootweg: "We now have a balanced budget for 2025. To achieve this, we had to make choices. We opted for measures that have as little social impact as possible."

Critical considerations

Evert-Jan Slootweg: "We took a critical look at plans and ambitions: are they realistic? Are they necessary? What happens if we don't do it? Ultimately, this resulted in a set of measures. As a municipality, we can turn three knobs. We can adjust our ambitions and plans, we can save on things that are already in progress, and finally, we can increase local taxes. Providing good services to our residents and businesses will continue to be central to our efforts in the coming year."

Property tax remains lowest in the region 

“We have no choice but to increase local taxes as well. Property tax will increase by an average of €45, from €361 to €406. This means that property tax will still be the lowest in the region. We are well aware that this will have consequences for our residents. However, it is necessary in order to continue to provide good services to our residents and to properly perform additional statutory tasks. For example, the introduction of the Environment Act requires additional capacity from the municipality," says Evert-Jan Slootweg.

Developing different scenarios

As a council, our starting point is a financially healthy West Maas en Waal. We are proud to be able to present a balanced budget for 2025. This is not a matter of course, as we are faced with ever-increasing costs, especially in healthcare. In addition, from 2026 onwards, we will receive considerably less money from the national government. That is why, after the budget debate, we as a council will enter into discussions with the council to work out various scenarios to achieve a structurally balanced budget. We will incorporate the results of this into the 2025 Spring Memorandum," concludes Alderman Evert-Jan Slootweg.

City council to make a decision soon

The budget has been submitted to the city council. The council will make a decision at its meeting on November 6.