Formentera unveils record €38.4m budget for 2023: 13.5% bigger than in 2022

Today Ana Juan, Alejandra Ferrer, Rafael Ramírez and Bartomeu Escandell (president, first vice president, third vice president and councillor of finance, respectively, of the Consell de Formentera) presented local government's 2023 budget. Total spending tops €38.4 million, marking a 13.5% increase from this year's budget of €33,835,500.

The president affirmed that the final year of the legislative term would see the Consell de Formentera managing the "highest budget in the history of this institution". "The administration's dual role as town and island council means we are essentially service providers", she said, "and that is the focus of this budget: continued deployment of the social policies that make up the DNA of our cabinet parties". The president highlighted more funding under the Councils Act –the total is now €11.4 million– and imminent final approval for Senalló 4.0, a project encompassing commerce, crafts and locally-focused policies which, though outside the scope of the 2023 budget, will receive €1.2 million in funding from the European Union.
 
Juan described the island's financial situation as "healthy" and declared that, in the face of the energy crisis and inflation, "we are prepared, if necessary, to direct everything at our disposal to support the people, freelancers and small businesses that need it most".

For her part, Vice President Ferrer stressed that behind the Consell de Formentera's largest ever budget were shared efforts by the two parties of the cabinet and asserted, "We have always worked in consensus for the sustainability of the island". Ferrer underscored "sustainability in terms of the local environment, but also in terms of people, and of striking a balance between the economy and quality of life of the residents we work to serve".

Councillor Escandell reviewed the evolution of the institution's budget since 2008, and traced its record size in 2023 to increased current transfers under legislation on funding for island councils, increased capital transfers from Next Generation EU funding, and the municipal administration's own improved fiscal efficiency. The spending plan also envisions 2023 roll-outs for new services like the old people's home and the scheme to regulate watercraft anchored at Estany des Peix. "We will also keep ramping up assistance for Formentera's fabric of associations, because despite the global crisis we face, the Consell de Formentera is a healthy, financially stable institution. Our budgetary deficit is still zero, with €6 million in strategic reserves to deal with externalities that may arise", said Escandell.

The councillor underscored €5.6 million in investment, including €380,000 (of €550,000 total) for a home for minors and €360,000 (of €1.5 million) to equip Es Ca Marí with sanitation. The investments will also translate into upgrades on Carrer Gregal in La Savina and at Sa Roqueta and funding to make Carrer de Santa Maria pedestrian only.

The budgets will continue to allocate resources to local production, with €270,000 to build an oil mill and €350,000 to develop the road network and improve road safety. In sport, a line item of €200,000 will mean new stands at the football pitch and new padel tennis courts. (The total budget of the two projects is approximately €1.5 million.)

In culture and heritage, €300,000 has been set aside for the Casa de la Roda Interpretation Centre in Ses Salines – half the total price-tag. Another €50,000 will go to the Espai Cultural de Sant Ferran, and €250,000 will go to rehabilitating Sa Capella de sa Tanca Vella and Can Ramon.

The budget also envisions €100,000 for new recycling plants and another €600,000 for solar panel-equipped pergolas in public car parks. One hundred thousand euros will be unlocked for projects in big data in tourism and €250,000 will go to technological infrastructure projects. Lastly, €325,000 will be allocated to the Participatory Budgets of the Consell d'Entitats.

15 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera