It is in a particularly tense political and budgetary context that theGard departmental council voted on Friday January 10th primitive budget for 2025, on the occasion of the first plenary session of the year.
Solidarity, the main item of expenditure
A budget placed “under the sign of responsibility”, in the words of the president, Françoise Laurent-Perrigotwhich amounts to just over 1.25 billion euros. Operating expenses were particularly scrutinized. They are up by more than €12 million compared to 2024, displayed at €928.6 million.
Unsurprisingly, this increase is mainly linked to the field of solidarity which remains the main item of expenditure (because it is the main competence) of the departmental community. These solidarity budgets, such as for example allowances and integration services, or those linked to childhood, alone represent 58% of expenditure.
Investment budget maintained
Revenues are also estimated to increase to €977.7 million, an increase of €9 million compared to 2024. Enough to enable the community to maintain an investment budget of around €130 million, stable compared to last year, despite the reduction in state subsidies.
Moreover, the more or less direct references to state budget cuts towards local authorities largely animated the debates in the departmental assembly. Rémi Nicolasdelegated advisor for integration and access to employment, and mayor of Marguerittes, did not fail to emphasize during his presentation of the budget, that the communities are leaving “towards a more difficult period.
A “scissors effect” on the Department’s finances
Christian Bastidpresident of the communist group, denounced the “incomprehensible and unfair choice” of the state. However, he also welcomed the Department's budgetary choices in favor of solidarity.
“This translates a desire to leave no one behind, in a department where poverty persists.”
Valérie Meunierpresident of the Republican Common Sense (LR) group, was more critical, estimating this budget “very optimistic for 2025. We need to sound the alarm,” she insisted.
Françoise Laurent-Perrigot assures for its part that the departmental executive has demonstrated “of enlightened optimism about the situation”in the construction of this budget. Of course the majority does not deny the “scissor effect” facing the community, and promises to ensure that expenses are controlled. For example, those linked to general expenses are down by €1.3 million.
