CIt was to be a communication on the 2025 finance bill and its impacts for the municipality, followed by a debate. But, for the first time, no member of the opposition was present during the Municipal Council. This Monday, November 4, the mayor of Libourne Philippe Buisson made his remarks. A way for him to prepare minds, before preparing the budget. “It is not the budgetary orientation debate ahead of time but the provision of insight,” he explains. Of which act.
Uncertainties
Philippe Buisson does not dispute the need to reduce the public deficit. The government has planned to draw three billion euros from the 450 richest communities. Those which have more than 40 million euros in real operating expenses. “We are at 38 million, so we are not part of it. On the other hand, the Cali, yes. It will be deducted by more than a million euros,” said the mayor.
The City is nevertheless concerned by other elements. “The impact will be around 650,000 euros even though we are not affected by this lumbar puncture on communities. » Hence a budget which already appears to be constrained, especially as other uncertainties remain: one concerns the date of payment for the barracks purchased by the State for the installation of Civil Security, the other the overall amount of compensation following the fire in the covered market and the village hall in September 2023. “For the moment, we do not know what direction to take even if the site will be restructured. We will also soon launch an architect competition. »
No tax increase
Domino effects are to be expected. The Region and the Department should, respectively, lose nearly 126 and 80 million euros. “These communities will inevitably question their financial commitments,” suspects the mayor. A priori, the Region still wants to finance the metropolitan RER and the multimodal exchange hub. “But at what tempo? The question arises. »
Choices will be necessary even if certain areas are protected. “There will be no increase in taxation,” promises Philippe Buisson who adds that there will be no savings on safety, cleanliness, roads and sidewalks or even smiles, according to one of his favorite expressions. “The end-of-year holiday events make Libourne magical but it also helps fill the stores. This is important, some make a third of their turnover at Christmas. »
Less investments
The savings will therefore be made elsewhere. The investment budget, of 21 million euros this year, will not exceed 17 million. And efforts will be made on the payroll. Not all departures will be replaced and the City will re-examine the organization of its events. “When we do a concert on Place Surchamp on Saturday evening, everything has to be dismantled during the night because of the market. If we move everything to the platforms, that reduces overtime,” illustrates the mayor, who opens the door to any proposal.