An equation with so many unknowns. Cannes elected officials gathered this Thursday evening for the budgetary guidelines report. Usually a dangerous exercise in anticipation. But then… “No one knows what will happen financially,” breathes Mayor David Lisnard, a rumor reported the day before from the Senate. While we are still waiting for the formation of the government and the adoption of a 2025 budget, the municipalities must therefore – the good joke – plan for the coming year…
Of the “fiscal quicksand” faced with which Cannes has chosen to apply “the principle of prudence.” Because there are trends that are unlikely to be reversed. State contributions, for example… In 2024, the general operating allocation for Cannes was 14.9 million. In 2014? 30.3 Me.
Another €7.5M less from the State?
Conversely, participation in the FPIC (1) is increasing, and should rise to 4.1 million (compared to 3.9 million last year). Again? In “taking the hypotheses of the budget aborted by the motion of censure”the city of festivals would be deprived of an additional €7.5 million, between cuts in tax revenues and a reduction in the VAT compensation fund; these two are hypothetical, the increase in the contribution to the CNRACL (2) is sure, and will cost “1.4Me.”
Faced with this charming painting, David Lisnard assures us: “You have to be inventive and agile.” By sticking to the established course of action, like a Holy Trinity: debt reduction, fiscal sobriety and investment. For this, the city can rely on “elements of solidity”its 2024 results in the lead, with “72,696Me of available surplus.” Ant policy which will be renewed in 2025. General expenses? Down 4.5%. Rigor and prudence, also, on revenue forecasts, more modest than in 2024.
No increase in local taxes and investments
This is how Cannes intends to land on its feet. Without increasing local tax rates – “the bases are the State!” – and by investing, like last year, 80 million.
A major construction site in 2024, the La Bocca center will be again next year (12.7 million), ahead of the Forville market (4.7 million) and Nouvelle Frayère (3.5 million).
There remains the debt: it should fall by €1 million in 2025 (to reach €177.4 million), as was planned last year. “Finally, we lowered it by 6Me”, congratulates David Lisnard. An excess of zeal, the absence of which we could “forgive”, this time, at the end of next year…
1. National Fund for the equalization of intermunicipal and municipal resources. Basically, help from the richest communities to the poorest.
2. National pension fund for local authority agents.
