the essential
This is not his first outburst of anger, but Serge Rigal drives the point home by deciding not to organize New Year's greetings at the Department. The Lotois president does not intend to announce the bad news himself, given the 8 million euros in savings requested by the State from the Lotois. Explanations.
“I don’t want to be one of those who announce bad news to the Lotois, for 2025 wishes of disaster, the government just has to take care of it!” To everyone's surprise, this Tuesday morning, the president of the Lot Department announced that he would not organize the New Year's greetings ceremony. A position that he assumes taking into account the financial context and the drains that the State envisages on the budget of the Lot community.
Deviating for the first time from the tradition which requires that local personalities and elected officials be invited to the Hôtel du Département in Regourd, to unfold the projects, investments and ambitions of the territory for the 12 months to come, Serge Rigal takes charge. “While the Court of Auditors has just issued its report, considering the sound financial management of the departmental council, I would like everyone to have our budgetary rigor. But, when you give tax gifts to your friends, you have to assume the consequences.” A dig at Bruno Le Maire, former Minister of the Economy.
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The Lot will have to do without 8 million euros
Because the Lot will be deprived of no less than 8 million euros. A hard blow considering the efforts already made. “We were taken 12 million euros in 2024, without consultation, and above all without financial compensation. It was then a question of paying the salary increases of public agents, home helpers, RSA, etc. This decision to the State was legitimate, necessary and even absolute. But the problem is that being generous without providing compensation or revenue for local authorities is amateurism.
The pill is difficult to swallow for Serge Rigal who wishes to point out that the Lot has halved its debt since 2015, that at the same time, the Department has doubled its investments, going from 25 to 30 M€ / year to 50 to €60 million/year, since 2022.
The question is therefore where to find €8 million in savings to be made in 2025? “An investment budget is not planned the day before for the next day; but often several years in advance. For 2025, commitments are made to the tune of €45 million and we have an obligation to keep them. Thus, I signed the order letter to the companies for the construction of the Castelfranc bridge two months ago, so we are going to do it if it were today, I would not sign it.
These projects maintained in 2025
Will not be affected: the Vayrac diversion (in progress), the Cluzel coast (start of work in 2025), the Cahors fire and rescue center where the land will be deforested next week to allow the construction site to start shortly. The Catus barracks with the laying of the first stone scheduled for December 14, the Salviac barracks in continuity and that of Montcuq if the State keeps its commitments. As for the greenway, it is managed by a joint union, in which the department intervenes. “We provided a lot of funding for the launch of the union, which allows us to carry out the work over the next two years, without the Department having to hand over a share,” explains Serge Rigal.
“In two years, this will have dramatic consequences for our businesses”
For 2025, as for 2026, the departmental council can no longer go back and will have to assume a still high level of investment, even if it will be slightly lower. Afterwards, it will no longer be the same story, as Serge Rigal admits. “In two years, this will have dramatic consequences for our businesses.” In the immediate future, one of the levers that the departmental elected official sees is road maintenance. “This is not the right lever, I am aware of it and there will be consequences, but we have to find options. We can postpone road or building maintenance work. Putting all that off for a while later. Lowering investment in colleges, which was until then at a fairly high level, could also be considered.”
As for social skills, which represent 60% of the Department's budget, that's another story. “Aid, RSA, APA… are set by law, you are entitled to it or not. So should we limit our social actions? Should these €8 million in savings concern the poorest d 'between us?', points out the president who will be forced to postpone the budgetary orientation debate which is usually held in December until January 20, due to lack of validation of the Government Finance Law which must be voted on December 12 and which plans to reduce the deficit budget below 5% of GDP in 2025, facing the country's debt of 3,228 billion euros.
Everything is said, the Lotois have taken their responsibilities, let the government do the same, but do not count on Serge Rigal to be the bird of ill omen in 2025 in the homes of the department. “Michel Barnier just has to do it,” he concludes.
