Unlike the Vaucluse departmental council, which should have adopted its 2025 budget this Friday, but which postponed this session until January 17, the City of Avignon is not changing its schedule. This Saturday (from 9 a.m. at city hall), during a municipal council of 35 deliberations, elected officials will approve a new financial document. “ We are on a provisional budget. During the year, there are always modifying votes », recalled three weeks ago, during the previous session, the mayor (PS) Cécile Helle.
If the majority asked the question of a postponement, the hypothesis was quickly swept aside. “Are we sure that by mid-January the State will have voted its own budget? ?, asks Claude Nahoum, First Deputy. In these very turbulent times, we wanted to stay the course and provide visibility, which helps reassure residents. » But also to commit the first subsidies from the start of the calendar year, a commitment still sustained according to the municipality, which estimates it at 10 million euros.
“We work miracles”
Three weeks ago, the budgetary guidelines report highlighted the need to find 6 million euros in savings – on an operating budget of 180 million euros. In the meantime, the motion of censure has been passed and the Barnier government has gone ace. Not imprudent, however, the majority does not present a budget exempt from any savings measures. “ We think that the 2% drain on the operating budget will fall because all elected officials are opposed to itexplains Joël Peyre, elected to finance. On the other hand, for example, we maintained the 4% increase in pension contributions. » As a result, the bill is approximately halved, with 3 million euros less expected. “ Reasonable pragmatism », summarizes Claude Nahoum.
Still without resorting to fiscal leverage, the majority intends to remain faithful to its commitments “ quality municipal service », investments (38 million euros), all at constant debt. To achieve this equation, the City is banking on slightly increased allocations and dynamic taxation, while once again containing personnel costs by replacing only one departure in three. “ Every year we work miracles », boasts David Fournier, deputy (PS) in charge of municipal administration.
Among the projects delivered or launched this year: the opening of the Pommer baths, the creation of an artistic wasteland in the former Sainte-Anne prison, the end of work on the Chevalier-de-Folard swimming pool, or 100,000 euros of studies on the requalification of rue de la République.
