“We will have to make operational savings. Reducing operating expenses means making courageous political choices.” A few hours before the vote on the budgetary orientation debate, this Thursday, December 19, David Robo, president of Gulf of Morbihan Vannes agglomeration (GMVA) sets the tone. This vote takes place in a national context that is turbulent to say the least: in the absence of an adopted national budget, communities must move forward on sight. However, with a common goal: that of saving money. Michel Barnier had asked to reduce the size of 3 million for the Vannes area. François Bayrou’s proposal is not yet known. But GMVA continues on this momentum. “The debt continues to grow,” recalls François Mousset, vice-president in charge of finance. Everything suggests that the next PLF will require a lot of effort.”
1 to 2 million operating cuts
On the operating side, therefore, the agglomeration aims to reduce expenses by 1 to 2 million euros. And to cite examples of planned cuts to events, openings of equipment, transport offers. “We have several hypotheses on the table. Some things will be easy to decide, others more difficult,” warns the president. Anne Gallo, mayor of Saint-Avé, is concerned about possible cuts in the transport budget, in the context of the strike by some bus drivers. “I am not in the mindset of eliminating services to the population which are part of our sovereign policies,” replies David Robo.
And Sylvie Sculo, mayor of Séné, asks about the possibility of resorting to taxes. “There is a tax lever for the agglomeration, it is called the additional tax on second homes”. “This question will be put on the table in 2025,” answers David Robo. But not for the 2025 budget.”
45 million investments
On the investment side, the agglomeration also plans to tighten its ambitions. 55 million had initially been planned for this upcoming budget. In view of the situation, they are reduced to 45 million. “Which remains massive”, comments the president. At the heart of these investments, a big piece: the Multimodal Exchange Hub for which 13 million euros have been earmarked for 2025.
This draft budget was built with bad news from state services last November: the reduction in the fraction of VAT expected to fund the agglomeration’s coffers. This will be an increase of 0.80% instead of the 4.5% initially announced. That is a drop in revenue of 1.3 million euros.
The agglomeration has two months left to make its final decisions before adopting the budget. “No one has a crystal ball,” said David Robo. Will we have a budget voted on in Parliament by February? It seems complicated.”
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