Territorial Council: Budget readjustment examined this Thursday

After a hectic start to the new school year on September 5, it's time for the elected representatives to get back to the territorial council dance. The program is a busy one. The elected representatives will meet at the Collectivité on Thursday September 26, then a week later on Thursday October 3 to deliberate on a total of 18 items. This division into two sessions has been carefully thought out to ensure that the council does not become too long and the debates lose momentum. The subjects on the agenda require the full concentration of the local councillors. For elected representatives, the meeting on Thursday September 26 will begin with a review of the removal from the inventory and statement of assets of a burnt-out vehicle and two retired vehicles. Not an exciting topic, on the face of it. On the other hand, the second budget deliberation, concerning a revision of the Code des Contributions, the taxes and fees paid to the Collectivité, is likely to stir up debate.
According to the President of the Collectivité, Xavier Lédée, the first objective of this revision is to "clarify" certain texts already in force, based on feedback from the departments concerned. Secondly, proposals to modify certain taxes are to be examined at a meeting before being submitted to the territorial council, but no date has yet been set. While this revision of the Code des Contributions is described as purely "administrative" and intended to facilitate the work of the Collectivité's agents, the Saint-Barth d'Abord opposition list is already denouncing measures that lack flexibility.

A budget likely to be contested
The three political groups are also likely to disagree on the fourth item of administrative business, "décision modificative n°1". Behind this simple title, it must be understood that this is a budget readjustment. It's an opportunity for elected representatives to add credit lines to launch new projects or to replenish the coffers of certain dossiers that are more costly than anticipated. These included an additional 50,000 euros to cover fuel requirements, 55,000 euros for the Collectivité's participation in the Paris Fair, and 125,000 euros for the recruitment of private security firms (see box opposite). For the record, the six Saint-Barth d'Abord councillors voted against the budget on March 21, as did first vice-president Marie-Hélène Bernier, who made clear her disagreement with the President of the Collectivité. However, two of the three political groups should be able to agree on a new line in the budget: the employment of a collaborator for the elected group. On July 17, the Saint-Barth d'Abord group wrote to the President of the Collectivité to request the creation of a staff position for their group. "It's a support for the functioning of the group, and it allows us to strengthen our presence in internal meetings", says Romaric Magras, leader of the Saint-Barth d'Abord group. The Action-Equilibre group has also been offered the possibility of creating a staff position, although it has not applied for one. "We're leaving this possibility open," says Bettina Cointre, without specifying whether the position will be filled. The Collectivité is responsible for recruiting the associate, but it is up to the political group to choose the agent. This decision will be taken if the resolution is approved by the elected representatives.

Land affairs
Two Land Affairs issues are on the agenda. The first invites local councillors to vote on the purchase of two detached houses in Toiny. With a total surface area of 700 square meters, these two new one-bedroom homes are being sold to the Collectivité for 3 million euros. Each house has a living area of 47 square meters, with a 17-square-meter terrace. If the purchase is approved by the Territorial Council, these homes could be used to house Collectivité staff, teachers, medical personnel or other essential professionals on the island.
The second and final item on the agenda for today's meeting is also likely to cause a stir. This is nothing less than the approval of tariffs for the occupation of the public maritime domain, or, to put it more crudely, the authorization for hoteliers and restaurateurs to put deckchairs on the beach. Adopted in October 2023, the updating of these regulations had provoked a long debate between hotel professionals and the territorial majority (JSB 1536). This year, Xavier Lédée assures us that there will be "no increase" in this fee schedule. A promise that is far from reassuring for the elected representatives. "We were told that we couldn't change much because it was just before the season and that it would be reworked this year, except that nothing has changed," says Bettina Cointre. The debate promises to be stormy.
As a reminder, territorial council meetings are open to the public.