Calp considers the municipal budget definitively approved as there have been no allegations during the 15 days of public exposure and it comes into force from today. The budget was debated in the municipal plenary session on December 20 and had the votes in favor of the government team.
The 2022 municipal budget is a commitment to the cultural, festive and commercial recovery of the town. These municipal accounts amount to 40.262.646,00 euros and represent an increase of 2.392.371,00 euros in relation to the previous year, that is, 6.32%. They have a forecast of €14.068.153,43 in current expenses and €2.721.157,48 in investments.
Thus, the municipal budget contemplates increasing by 100.000 euros the items allocated to popular festivals and festivities and by 50.000 euros those for Culture. The City Council will increase aid to the Festival Commission, which will amount to 90.000 euros and to the Moors and Christians Association, which will reach 100.000 euros for the next financial year.
Likewise, subsidies will be allocated with the aim of continuing to boost the Calpine economy. In this sense, the City Council will reissue the Voucher-commerce campaign with another item of 250.000 euros, which can be expected to be extended, and will launch another similar campaign aimed at catering establishments that will be called "Bono-come". It will also re-launch a local Employment Plan, initially endowed with 200.000 euros, an item that is intended to increase and that this year will favor the hiring of personnel under 35 years of age. The subsidies for the habitual residence and the Bono baby will be reissued, the sports subsidies will be increased by 40.000 euros and a rehabilitation plan for the facades of the old town will be created with an initial item of 20.000 euros.
Another of the main lines that these accounts provide is the improvement and maintenance of municipal services. And in this sense, a new rescue, lifeguard and supervised bathing service is included, which will extend the summer season, hours and personnel (€645.182,45), the new beach cleaning and maintenance contract (€278.338,92 €), a new palm tree pruning service and garden pruning to improve the maintenance of public roads and green areas (€189.567,71, which will mean an increase of 65.000 euros compared to the previous contract), a new lighting contract that will increase the streets, decorative elements and campaigns with the aim of promoting local commerce, as well as a new waste collection and transport service and street cleaning (€44.811.285,20). The animal welfare item is increased to €32.225 and a new one is included, twinning, endowed with €10.000.
In the chapter on investments, the channeling and pumping of footbaths on the beaches stands out (€185.000) as well as a new section of Vial J with 191.554 euros. In addition, works started during 2021 will continue, such as Road M for access to the new institute (€283.897,22) or the resurfacing of urbanizations (€694.117,74), and execution will begin, thanks to the incorporation of the remainder of 2021, the remodeling of the Plaza Mayor (€1.178.178,36), the repair of the planters on Avinguda Jaume I and adjacent areas (€215.262,32), destroyed after storm Gloria, among other actions.
And along with this, the budget contemplates a reduction in tax pressure with the expansion of bonuses for capital gains from inheritances. The 5.04% reduction in the IBI rate that was approved in 2019 will be maintained and the market and flea market rate will continue to be suspended during the first quarter of 2022, as well as the rate for use of the facilities of the House of Culture during the school year. 2021-2022, as measures to support and boost economic activity in Calp.
The mayor, Ana Sala, has pointed out that "these budgets have been drawn up under the premise of improving municipal services and establishing fewer taxes, betting on the economic and emotional recovery of our people, creating opportunities for our young people, strengthening our commercial and hospitality sector and returning to enjoy of all the things that the pandemic took from us.”
