POLITICS
October 13, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Column
At the beginning of this column I would like to apologize. The residents of our municipality will pay considerably more Real Estate Tax (OZB) next year. Thanks to the construction industry of our unsurpassed councilor Jaap Groothuis, we can fortunately distribute that property tax to more households than in previous years. But in any case, the increase will end up on your doorstep via the tax bill.
This increase is a downer for you in expensive times when politicians seem to talk about little else than ‘social security’. And I agree with you: it is not pretty.
Part of that increase is in important items such as educational housing, construction and maintenance of roads, new station surroundings, alcohol prevention and management of public green spaces. But the most important cost item that causes a significant property tax increase is the extra 375,000 (!) euros that goes to art and culture. A council majority of all parties minus SGP agreed to this last spring. In order to transfer this subsidy amount to the accounts of the art and cultural institutions, a property tax increase of more than six percent is required. This while more than a million (!) in existing subsidies are already paid out to this sector.
In total, the art and culture subsidy pot will increase to 1.4 million euros. A quick calculation: if the municipal council decides to increase the property tax by one percent, this will provide 65,000 euros in structural financial space for new plans. You can calculate how much property tax it would cost you if we were to significantly reduce this subsidy pot of 1.4 million euros. Talk about an ‘impulse for social security’!
Although the SGP was the only party to vote strongly against this enormous cost item – in uncertain times – we also do enjoy art and culture. For example, as it is usually performed by our choirs. Or we enjoy the paintings in our town hall. And we value our heritage. For example, an amount has again been reserved for a new sheepfold in Elspeet, hopefully it will finally be built!
I started with apologies. But I hope it is clear to you which parties you can contact with your complaints.