The municipality of De Wolden is doing well financially. In the coming years, the municipality will not have to worry about accounting. Up to and including 2025, there is even scope to invest four million euros each year, but that strong position will probably see a turning point in the following years.
This is apparent from the budget presented by De Wolden. The municipality is in a strong position because it currently receives a lot of money from the government. For example, to deal with various crises. That income will continue until 2025. The following year is also known as the ‘ravine year’. From that moment on, the amounts will decrease considerably.
Just like in any other municipality, De Wolden has to deal with various problems. The rising costs of energy for homes, business premises, municipal buildings and our social real estate such as sports canteens and village houses are putting a heavy burden on the available budgets. “Every household is aware of the consequences. Living as we have done in recent decades will no longer work,” the budget reads.
De Wolden is struggling with the price increase of raw materials, energy and water, and an increase in the arrival of refugees. There is also not enough staff to carry out all the work properly. “Because we are dealing with a very tight labor market nationally and regionally, we may not be able to carry out some actions according to plan. Simply because there are no people available to do that.”
Since energy prices are rising sharply, an additional amount of 800,000 euros has been added to the budget for the year 2023. In the following three years, this will be increased by another four hundred thousand euros. Housing plays a major role in the plans of the municipality. De Wolden would like to set up an acceleration team to give housing projects the green light faster. She does this in imitation of Hoogeveen, which has a similar team.
A total of 180,000 per year has been included in the budget for this. The property tax will increase by 1.5 percent every year. The waste levy is making a big jump, growing by 7.5 percent.