Zoetermeer perspective paper offers options
Letters have already been sent in advance to social organizations and associations. The amount of subsidies to them is no longer self-evident, and the municipality is also looking at how to make the ravine less deep by 'cutting its own flesh'. The Zoetermeer board continues to take the position of first looking to the government to see if they will take their responsibility. At the same time, the board feels the need to remain a financially healthy municipality.
Alderman Iedema (finance) believes it is important to first look at financial technical measures. "By planning in a practical way and being a little less optimistic, we are already creating some space. For example, by spreading ambitions a little more. We have included very limited new policy and we are looking closely at the cost recovery of our levies."
Government contribution
Alderman Iedema thinks that the government gives too many tasks without any money. "The government does come up with a little bit, but not enough. The government therefore forces us to cut back. We try to pass that on to our residents as little as possible. The extra money from the government is just a small plaster on the wound."
Initial calculations show that the municipality of Zoetermeer can expect an additional €10 million from the government in 2026. This will help to partially cushion the decline in the municipal fund from 2026 onwards. Without a coverage plan, there is a negative total balance (incidental and structural) of over €24 million. In order to achieve a structurally and realistically balanced budget for 2026, a package of austerity and coverage measures of over €23 million is required. The structural budget balance for 2026 therefore shows a tight positive balance of €1,031,000. In 2026, this includes €5 million from the so-called surplus in the general reserve (part of the €23 million in measures). The municipality is therefore eating into its own capital. The piggy bank is emptied.
The Perspective Debate will take place on June 30, 2025.