The municipality of Midden-Drenthe has its housekeeping book in order. The 2024 budget is balanced, but there are certainly concerns. The municipality must take uncertain circumstances into account in the coming years and from 2026 the budget will show increasing deficits.
Councilor Rieja Raven is proud of the current balanced budget, but also expresses her concerns: “A lot of expectations are placed on us as a municipality. We are given more and more tasks. We must therefore send a signal to The Hague.” She indicates that the shortages will increase if compensation is not provided by the central government.
Develop further
In recent years, important steps have been taken in the implementation of housing projects, in sustainability and in service provision. Councilor Rieja Raven: “The budget for next year offers us sufficient opportunities to continue on the path we have started. For example, we will commit ourselves to the development of the ‘t Stroomdal area. We have created a vision together with those involved and we will now develop this further.”
Councilor Jan Schipper: “We continue to invest in the maintenance of our roads. For example, the Verlengde Middenraai in Nieuw-Balinge and the Steegde/Oosterseveldweg near Spier are being tackled.” However, there are also concerns about (future) road maintenance. According to the alderman, not enough money has been reserved to maintain the roads in tip-top condition: “We will have to talk to the council.” If the maintenance level of the roads is adjusted downwards, this will save money, but: “The council must determine the ambition level.”
Durable
Councilor Rico Schans says that the village halls can invest in sustainability with the help of the municipality. According to the principle, first come, first served: “The village halls have an important social function in the community. We think it is important that they are maintained. That is why we invest in making the village houses more sustainable.” The budget takes into account the investment for the new village hall in Spier.
Mayor Jan Zwiers: “We live in turbulent times. After the corona crisis, we find ourselves in a world with unstable relations, partly as a result of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The municipality is committed to providing shelter to the various target groups that need it.”
Big challenges
But there are also major challenges closer to home, such as the nitrogen crisis, tightness on the labor market and housing shortage. The nitrogen crisis means that the municipality faces major social challenges. As a rural municipality, Midden-Drenthe wants to be a municipality in which living, nature and agriculture are in balance. In addition, there is uncertainty about financial developments and the effects of inflation and last year’s energy crisis are still felt by many residents.
The council identifies financial uncertainties. The municipal budget shows an increasing structural deficit from 2026 onwards. This applies to all municipalities and is also called the financial ravine.
New cabinet
The extent to which the municipality will be accommodated depends on the new cabinet that is formed after the elections. In the meantime, Midden-Drenthe is allowing as many investments as possible to continue, but preparations are also being made to remain a social and enterprising municipality with fewer resources from 2026.
The city council will discuss the budget on Thursday, November 9