Elected representatives meet to discuss budget guidelines

As they do every year at the same time, the elected members of the territorial council are invited to debate the budget guidelines for the coming year. This exchange, which represents an essential and imperative stage prior to the adoption of the final budget (which will take place at the Territorial Council meeting on March 20), will therefore take place this Thursday, February 27. Not at 5pm, as usual, but at 3pm. A most unusual schedule, not to say curious. Chairman Xavier Lédée and his teams are perhaps taking care to anticipate the excessive length of the debates. Bearing in mind that six other items are on the agenda, this change in the meeting time will no doubt prove to be a lifesaver for those who enjoy an early lunch.
The budget report that will serve as the basis for discussions between the elected representatives is divided into three sections. The first is devoted to the island's economic and financial situation, the second to the Collectivité's budgetary situation and orientation, and the third to the investment program. All these sections are, of course, supplemented by numerous sub-sections.
The 133-page document allows you to observe the evolution of the various sections of the budget. For example, it shows that both operating expenses and revenues are slightly lower in 2024 than in 2023 (70.597 million in 2024 versus 71.681 in 2023 for expenses, and 129.492 million in 2024 versus 134.509 in 2023 for revenues). On the other hand, in 2024, capital expenditure rises (67.999 million in 2024 vs. 42.483 in 2023), while revenue falls by almost half (3.479 million in 2024 vs. 7.684 in 2023).
Within the operating section, the report notes the emergence of items that are more costly than others. In particular, "service contracts" for the operation of the incineration plant and waste collection will cost around 14.5 million euros in 2024, compared with around 12 million in 2023 (a 21% increase).
Still in the operating section, operating revenues are down for the first time since 2020.

Tax revenues down 15.38
In 2024, the vast majority of taxes that make up tax revenues were down. Fuel tax fell by 61.17% (934.162 euros in 2024 versus 2.4 million in 2023), airport and port taxes by 4.28% (4.1 million in 2024 versus 4.3 in 2023), corporate income tax or CFAE (down 9.81%, from 5.1 million to 4.6), wharfage dues (down 4.93%, from 24.5 million to 23.3), transfer duties (down 29.62%, from 56 million to 39.4), development tax (down 59.37%, from 2.1 million to 866.345) and tourist tax (down 3.57%, from 15.8 million to 15.3). Conversely, household waste collection tax (+13.62%), electricity tax (+52.40%) and vehicle and parking tax (+21.39%) are all up.
For the 2025 primitive budget, the Collectivité has provided an estimate of tax revenues that has been revised downwards even further. From almost 101.7 million, it proposes an estimate close to 94.5 million.

33 departures in 2024
In its staffing table, the Collectivité has "only" 16 "A" category staff out of a total of 337, of which 278 will be filled by the end of 2024. 260 of these are permanent civil servants (permanent, non-permanent and trainees), while 18 are non-permanent. From 9.3 million in 2014, the Collectivité's payroll will gradually rise to over 14 million by 2024. This increase obviously accompanies the Collectivité's growing responsibilities in various fields. It is worth noting that a long section of the report is devoted to personnel, with sections covering training, remuneration, social contributions, but also movements.
In 2024, 33 people left their positions with the Collectivité territoriale. Of these, ten were at the end of their contract, six resigned, eight took a leave of absence, three had their contract terminated, four retired and two took parental leave. Since 2022, nineteen staff have resigned and twenty-two have been placed on availability.

Building permits
The report also lists building permits. 215 were submitted in 2024 and 119 issued, including 77 for new construction and 42 for building on existing buildings. In 2023, 265 permits were filed with the local authorities and 155 issued. In 2022, 264 applications were submitted, but only 93 were accepted.

Increasing number of vehicles
The number of vehicles circulating on the island is another noteworthy fact. In total, there are 17,736 vehicles on the island. With 5,446 two-wheelers, 2,629 vans, 8,359 cars, 1,087 quads and Twizy, 188 construction vehicles, 17 public transport vehicles and ten trailers. Between 2022 and 2025, the Collectivité records an increase of 1,563 vehicles on the island.

Work planned for 2025
The 2025 budget will, of course, include numerous lines for work to be continued or started. In the budget guidelines report, road, electricity, water and sewerage schemes are given pride of place. Projects also include the Gustavia cultural center, the fish market on the Quai Rockefeller, the construction of a nursery in Grand-Cul-de-Sac and a school complex in Saint-Jean. We also mention the installation of solar panels on the roof of the Hôtel de la Collectivité, the energy renovation of therenovation of the Saint-Jean accommodation center, the development of the future pound on Saline and the extension of the commercial port.
The projects to be launched in 2025 are just as numerous. Even if it's mainly a question of launching studies. These include, for example, the rehabilitation of the Grand-Cul-de-Sac, Flamands and Public roads, the renovation of the old fire station and the construction of a central kitchen on Saint-Jean. Not forgetting the renovation of the athletics track around the stadium and the construction of a skate park on the playground.