Opinion: it will be a real challenge for municipalities to survive

Although next year’s state budget is generally considered “rather good”, it will not be an easy time for municipalities, said the Executive Director of Latvian Association of Large Cities Normunds Audzišs in an interview to Latvijas Radio.
He said the state budget was composed in a difficult time. The priorities listed in the budget are important – this includes security-related priorities.
At the same time, although the state budget is considered good, next year will not be an easy time for municipalities, said Audzišs.

“This will be a time of survival for municipalities,” he said.

Audzišs explained that municipalities will perform their duties, but there is no room to speak of development, because it will be necessary to look for ways to cover the growing costs.
On Thursday, the 7th of December, the Latvian Saeima will start reviewing the state budget project for 2024 and accompanying laws.
At the beginning of November, the government approved the state budget project for 2024 and budget content for 2024, 2025 and 2026. In it, state consolidated budget revenue for 2024 is planned at EUR 14.486 billion, whereas expenditures are planned at EUR 16.212 billion.
After the budget’s approval, amounts will be clarified and corrected for the final reading.
The three main priorities of Latvia’s budget for 2024 include domestic and external security, education and healthcare.
Also read: Latvia plans to significantly increase kindergarten teachers’ wages
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