Good accounts make good friends, undoubtedly between City councilors and administrators too. Because the approval of the 2023 finances by the municipal council reveals the continuation of rigorous management of the municipality which benefits its investments and its reduction in debt, without increasing taxes. A feat, in a context of inflationary crisis and drop in endowments.
Certainly, examining the 2023 accounts in April 2024, even though the provisional budget for the current year has already been voted on, may seem a bit ridiculous. But it is also indicative of the confidence (or not) that we can place in the upcoming financial year.
High level of investments
And it is clear that “beneficial rigor” erected as a cardinal virtue by the municipality, paid in 2023. With an operating surplus of €72 million (after covering investments) despite inflation at 4.9% and additional electricity costs (€2.66 million), gas (+€643,000) and school canteen (+€1.2 million), and a state grant which continues to decline (-€255,000, or -€140 million since 2014).
Investments remained at a high level of €74 million, notably to renovate the Allées de la Liberté (€9.4 million), modernize the Palais des Festivals (€3.4 million), replace the main field of the Coubertin complex (€2.4 million), develop the La Malmaison Contemporary Art Center (€2.4 million), create the village hall at La Bocca (€2.1 million). On the banking side, the City continued to reduce its debt for the tenth consecutive year, to the tune of -€6 million. This leads to a virtuous circle since the average rate of outstanding debt rose from 2.22% in 2013 to 1.99% in 2023, without any toxic borrowing.
“Today, the debt (€184 million) is no longer an accounting and financial problem for the City”estimates Mayor David Lisnard, after the presentation by his first finance deputy Nicolas Gorjux. The accounting execution of our finances in 2023 is better than our forecasts because we apply the principle of budgetary precaution, which is what our political leaders rely on at the national level. The golden rule is strictly respected in Cannes, even though it is a city which was in serious difficulties fifteen to twenty years ago..
No increase in taxation
The same goes for taxation, which has remained stable without any increase in local taxes, or new intermunicipal tax on land for households.
Building on these results, David Lisnard did not fail to mention the burdens which nevertheless weigh on the commune (whose poverty rate still reaches 21%, compared to 14% at the national level) due to its central position, while They are generated for the entire urban area.
And to cite the Grand Bleue swimming pool, which became intermunicipal in 2016; the Méliès campus which welcomes extra-communal students, or the pooling of certain staff.
No oil wells or gold bars but…
Details, as if to silence the rebellion that is rising from the town hall of Cannet, where we feel “poor relation” of the agglomeration…
“We have the highest rate of social housing (18%) on the Riviera coast, but we do not victimize ourselves, continues the mayor. When people go out in the evening, they come to Cannes, and the tourist sector, all the way to Nice, benefits from our events policy.”.
And to conclude: “We don’t have any oil wells or gold bars growing, but all of this is the fruit of enormous work, with atypical results.”
