The Calp City Council has initially given the green light to the municipal budget for 2025, which amounts to 54.911.909 euros, which represents an increase of 16,93% compared to the previous year. The budgets were approved with the votes of the governing team (Somos Calpe, PSOE and Compromís), while Defendamos Calpe and the PP voted against.
As the mayor has highlighted Ana Sala, these accounts seek to "improve the quality of life and well-being of our residents and undertake necessary investments to improve the municipality." Sala also explained that the budgets are conditioned by the increase in the garbage tax, "a measure that affects all municipalities in Spain in compliance with a European Union directive."
Among the notable investments for 2025 is the start of the construction of the Museu Fester in Casa Beltrán, which will be the headquarters of the festival associations and will have advanced technology, financed within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR) of the European Union. In addition, 117.491 euros will be allocated to the adaptation of the Civil Protection premises, 222.678,38 euros to the widening of the passage in the Barranc del Pou Roig, 250.000 euros to an accessibility and sidewalk maintenance project, and 100.000 euros to the removal of reeds and restoration of vegetation in the Barranc del Quisi. New solar streetlights will also be installed (154.275 euros), sanitation and stormwater infrastructure will be improved (1.074.589,36 euros) and solar panels will be installed in the municipal swimming pool (57.438,87 euros).
The budget includes the creation of a Centre for Recovery and Social and Labour Integration for people with mental health problems (100.000 euros) in the former Victoria cinemas. Projects will also be developed such as the improvement of roads T (towards Puerto Blanco) and E (Ràfol-Empedrola), the creation of a dog park in La Manzanera and the expansion of urban gardens.
As for services, an increase is expected in the budget for lifeguards and rescue services, which will rise to 835.739,26 euros, and in beach cleaning, which will reach 633.085,30 euros.
Despite the increase in the garbage tax, the government team assures that it will maintain its commitment not to increase other taxes. Tax relief measures continue, such as the suspension of the tax on opening establishments, a 5,04% reduction in urban property tax, 95% bonuses on capital gains from inheritances, discounts on property tax for solar installations and the suspension of the tax on occupation of public roads for hospitality between November and April.
Nine lines of aid are also maintained, including the youth rental bonus (50.000 euros), sports aid (with a planned increase to 250.000 euros) and Bonobaby (20.000 euros).
In the area of personnel, 12 new positions will be created, such as local police inspector, youth technician, occupational therapist, an architect and two environmental watchdogs, although nine positions will be eliminated. The mayor also announced the intention to approve a human resources management plan.
From the opposition, Paco Quiles (Defendamos Calpe) criticised that "the budgets remain the same as in previous years" and pointed out that the increase in the garbage tax is "completely unfair". For his part, Miguel Crespo (PP) described the accounts as "the budgets for the garbage tax hike" and considered that the investments are "repairs and patches".
In response, Marco Bittner (PSOE) defended the calmness of the budgets, while Ximo Perles (Compromís) highlighted innovative projects not initiated during the PP's term. Juan Manuel del Pino (We are Calpe) concluded by accusing the opposition of repeating arguments from the previous year and defended that "investing in infrastructure and social aid improves people's lives."