Choosing quality and stability

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Dutch municipalities face significant challenges in the coming years. The income municipalities receive from the central government will be structurally reduced by billions. Meanwhile, challenges in various policy areas are substantial, and municipalities are being subjected to additional demands. Furthermore, the prices of materials and personnel are rising. The municipality of West Maas en Waal is also dealing with this. Alderman Evert-Jan Slootweg states: “There is now a balanced budget for 2025. For that, we had to make choices. We have opted for measures that have the least possible social impact.”

Key considerations

Evert-Jan Slootweg: “We took a critical look at our plans and goals: Are they realistic? Are they necessary? What happens if we don’t do them? Ultimately, this led to a set of measures. As a municipality, we have three levers we can pull. We can adjust our ambitions and plans, we can cut costs on current operations, and finally, we can raise local taxes. Providing quality services to our residents and businesses will remain a top priority in the coming year as well.”

Property taxes remain the lowest in the region 

“We have no choice but to raise local taxes as well. Property tax will increase by an average of 45 euros: from 361 euros to 406 euros. Even with this increase, our property tax rates will still be the lowest in the region. We are well aware that this will have consequences for our residents. However, this is necessary to continue providing good services to our residents and to properly carry out additional statutory duties. omgevingswet , the implementation of the omgevingswet requires additional capacity from the municipality,” said Evert-Jan Slootweg.

Developing various scenarios

“As a board, 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 given, as we are dealing with continuously rising costs, especially in healthcare. Additionally, from 2026 onwards, we will receive significantly less funding from the central government. Therefore, after the budget discussion, we, as a board, will engage with the council to develop various scenarios to achieve a structurally balanced budget. We will incorporate the outcomes of this into the 2025 Spring Memorandum,” concludes Alderman Evert-Jan Slootweg.

municipal council will municipal council have its say

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