The comment from Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice: “A budget that expresses a simple will: to offer the best policy in favor of the women and men of Nice”.
After the presentation, during the budgetary guidelines debate, of the main lines of the municipality’s action for 2012, the draft budget for 2012 was adopted during the Municipal Council on December 21.
A budget built on 4 main orientations:
• Strengthening our management close to public finances with a savings target of around 4.5 million euros
• A sustained investment policy as capital expenditure will amount to about 110 million euros in 2012
• Stability of tax rates despite the low dynamism of the community’s resources
• No additional debt
A 4.5 million euro savings plan
Current expenses: 1.36 million euros
In terms of heating and electricity, the revision of our contracts allows substantial savings, 1 million euros, despite a significant increase in energy expenditure
The restructuring of supply markets leads to an annual gain of 230,000 euros
A savings of 130,000 euros on the “fuel” post, despite a constantly increasing rate, by developing the use of the electric fleet and vehicle pools
The rationalization of travel
Travel expenses reduced by 113,000 euros (nearly 13%)
Reduction of the number of vehicles in our fleet: a start in 2011 with 21 vehicles withdrawn, target: 50 in 2012
Service reorganization: 900,000 euros
Continuation of mutualization between VDN and NCA of support services and in particular welcome missions (switchboard, hostesses, ushers)
Optimization of resources dedicated to Culture
Including, optimization of the use of cultural premises (rental to third parties, reduction of art storage premises), restructuring of youth reception.
Other important measures implemented:
Reduction, at a constant perimeter, of the payroll: 2 million euros, i.e., a reduction of about fifty positions (one retirement out of two not replaced except in the services of security, cleanliness, and early childhood).
Optimization of the use of premises by municipal services and acceleration of the regrouping of services to save on rents
Search for external financing by setting up a specific unit: sponsorship, co-organization of events, subsidies, etc.
Finally, in terms of public procurement, improvement of procurement and negotiation techniques, systematic application of late penalties in contracts, and proactive monitoring of City delegates for compliance with specifications.
Approximately 100 million euros in capital expenditure in 2012 including:
• 27 million devoted to maintaining the heritage and acquisitions necessary for its operation,
• 73 million for equipment projects.
Main capital expenditures:
• The green corridor: 9.3 million
• the exhibition center: 3.5 million
• the hall of the south station for which we are starting the project: 2.4 million
• Nice Flore school: 1.5 million
• the central kitchen: 1 million
• the MAMAC: 2.6 million
• the Ariane gymnasium: 1.2 million
and, of course, the Nice stadium for which our community will commit 28.5 million, 23 million of which are offset by external funding.
The budget also provides for a self-financing level of 20.56 million euros.
0% increase in taxes
In respecting our commitments to the women and men of Nice and for the third consecutive year, taxes do not increase, maintaining Nice’s tax level lower than Lille, Marseille, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Nantes, or even Grenoble.
For example, in 2011, Nice was ranked 12th out of cities with 150,000 inhabitants in terms of housing tax, while Lille was in 1st position, Nîmes in 2nd, Marseille in 3rd, Bordeaux in 8th position, and Grenoble in 10th position…
The municipality’s ambitions remain intact with clear priorities for 2012
Safety:
Complete the deployment of our video protection system by installing 120 additional cameras to complete our coverage, including in hill or peripheral areas. The network will thus consist of 744 cameras in 2012. More than 2000 arrests have been made this year, more than 500 thanks to our CSU.
Expansion of our local police and vigilant neighbors’ network. The 7 local police units created over the past year will see their numbers increased. Similarly, the 7 groups of vigilant neighbors created will be multiplied: 2 new ones are currently being finalized. We are the only major city where burglaries have decreased by nearly 20% this year. And arrests for theft made by our agents have increased by 60% this year.
Continue our policy of eliminating squats and fighting substandard housing with “anti-squat” operations (84 squats closed and destroyed in 2 years).
Intensify the enforcement against polluters who deliberately harm the quality of life and the environment (0 fines in 2007 and 3000 in 2011 for illegal dumping, noise pollution, dog fouling, alcohol sales, late closures…).
Give a new dynamic to prevention policy. Prevention is a responsibility given to the Mayor by the law of March 5, 2007.
Two major actions:
• Creation of a directorate dedicated exclusively to this mission.
• Reception of juvenile offenders to perform community service sentences (already 15 in 6 months).
Parking
Parking, like safety, is one of the main priorities for the people of Nice, with numerous actions including:
• Extension of video surveillance for double parking (15 sites already equipped by the end of 2011, target of 25 sites in 2012).
• Development of parking offers (spaces for two wheels, residential parking, parking structures).
• Support to SEMIACS in an intelligent parking experiment.
Housing
Housing is a major concern. That is why the City of Nice maintains a strong commitment alongside the NCA, which is the community in charge of this responsibility.
Thus, in 2012, the city will co-finance to the tune of about 10 million euros:
• The continuation of urban renewal programs in Ariane, Moulins, and Pasteur.
• Actions in favor of social diversity.
• And, of course, a program for creating social housing, which will allow us, for the 4th consecutive year, not to pay penalties in 2014 under the SRU law.
• For people in great difficulty, the delivery of the 15th corps accommodation center.
Furthermore, the assistance device for home ownership will obviously be maintained. In 2011, 194 cases were processed for a total of 1.6 million.
Support for employment
The City of Nice is involved at several levels:
- The City will invest around 100 million euros in capital expenditures in 2012, which allows dozens of companies to maintain significant activity during this period of economic uncertainty.
- The City supports employment through a booming events policy:
54% of events and manifestations since 2007. We have moved from 669 events to 1030 today, with significant economic benefits.
Examples: the Carnival with 30 million euros in direct returns, the 2nd Open Nice Côte d’Azur: 1 million euros, the 7th Ironman France Nice: 700,000 euros.
Results = +4.76% VAT revenue for Nice retailers in the first half of 2011.
Proximity
Continuing the beautification of our city’s heritage without neglecting a single neighborhood, development and maintenance of sports facilities, support for the associative sector, school life, and youth through the creation of new rooms or new schools.
This proximity policy must integrate all actions carried out by NCA in terms of cleanliness. In 2012, nearly 34 million euros will be devoted to operating and investment in cleanliness.
No additional loans planned in 2012
If the City completes 100% of the budgeted projects in 2012, 62.45 million euros will be borrowed. At the same time, the City will reimburse 46.7 million euros on current loans.
But if we consider a “reasonable” realization rate of 80% of the projects, it is 0 million euros additionally that we will borrow!
