Hoogeveen is heading for a financial gap of almost 8 million euros next year. Yet the municipality is not concerned and there is no cut.
Every year the municipality seems to have to do with a shortage of money, but at the end of the ride Hoogeveen appears to be more and more in the jacket than expected. For example, millions remain and the numbers do not dive into the minus, according to a letter.
How is that possible? The municipal administration recorded more money in the budget than was ultimately necessary for, among other things, maintenance of roads and buildings. As a result, the piggy bank became fuller and the municipality got more fat on the bones after financially difficult years.
Hoogeveen wants to continue that method and expects that the predicted shortage will therefore disappear completely (or partly) next year. And by paying attention to the money, the piggy bank’s piggy bank is now filled with 75 million euros.
That is why millions will be published next year. Among other things, gyms for schools and changing rooms for outdoor sports, and a fire station is also on the wish list.
Furthermore, there are plans in the future to construct more hiking trails and cycle paths. There will be a separate cycle path along the Echtenseweg and the cycle path at the Zuidwoldigerweg gets a makeover. In Elim, a safe cycle route has to come along the Carstensdijk.
In 2027 and the following years it looks less rosy. The municipality dives for millions in the minus and expected to cut back. How and what exactly is still unclear, but at the end of 2025 the city council will be presented with a plan.
Yet all figures have not yet been cast in concrete. Hoogeveen also looks at the government and what money ultimately goes to the municipalities. That seemed to be a lot less in the coming years, but The Hague wants to alleviate the blow.
Hoogeveen does not intend to keep money to shift money to the piggy bank in the coming years. The pot is, as mentioned earlier, well filled. In 2024 money remained and some millions were added, according to the financial statements.