The suspension of the housing tax has caused municipal budgets to melt. Mayors, particularly from rural communities, are calling for the tax to be reinstated. What about in Puy-de-Dôme?
Sébastien Gouttebel : I am more measured. When the housing tax was stopped, the municipalities were compensated. Except that this compensation is not dynamic and does not follow the increase in charges, the cost of energy, the salary increase… The cessation of the housing tax also had an effect on citizenship by exempting a certain part of the population who are not property owners. As a result, in a municipality some participate in the life of this municipality, in maintaining its services and others do not. I am not against the establishment of citizen participation, based on income, so that each resident is part of the life of the community.
Could the finance law further reduce municipal revenues?
SG : We have a total lack of visibility on this finance law as well as its landing. Not everything was approved. The Senate sent the text back to the Assembly. We don't know how we're going to be eaten. Initial estimates show a loss of revenue ranging from 0.6% to 3.8%. Rural mayors are very worried about maintaining services in communities if our budget has to be reduced further. On the AuRA scale, there would be a loss of up to 160 million euros. If this is the case, we will undoubtedly lose investment capacity.
What about schools? Are class closures expected for the start of the 2025 school year?
SG : The Government has announced the elimination of more than 4,000 positions, or 40 positions per department. Added to this is the decline in demographics and the birth rate. At the start of the school year in September, we recorded 500 fewer children in the department. Forecasts for 2025 indicate 700 children. The numbers are clear. I believe, yes, that we will have class closures. However, in our department, we would need 80 additional school teachers to function properly: providing replacements, tutoring young teachers, etc. The loss of 40 positions would have considerable impacts. A school is fundamental in a rural commune. A village without a school no longer has life! The rural mayors asked to meet the prefect. Next December, the rural dynamics observatory will be held to analyze all the problems on the ground and try to find solutions.
Do municipalities also have to take up the challenge of health and relief?
SG : The health issue is still relevant, unfortunately, with sectors still in medical desert. Likewise, we lack staff in nursing homes, personal care at home… On the emergency side, the new SDACR (Departmental Risk Analysis and Coverage Scheme) was approved by the Department and the mayors . We are lucky in Puy-de-Dôme to still have many volunteer firefighters. But they are faced with a lack of medical resources, particularly private taxis and ambulances. They find themselves in the most isolated areas responding to transport shortages rather than helping people.
What about security in the countryside?
SG : We are at more than €400,000 in damage following cable theft from public lighting. Just last week, the Rochefort-Montagne stadium bore the brunt of this organized crime. The police are working on this file but unfortunately the thefts persist.
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