On Friday, December 17, the departmental assembly met to vote on the 2022 budget. For the first time, this budget was accompanied by a green budget to assess the environmental impact of various actions.
“This 2022 budget will serve our ambition to invest in advancing the department and improving the quality of life for the people of the Alpes-Maritimes,” declared Charles-Ange Ginésy during the presentation at the departmental assembly.
Here are the main components of the 2022 departmental budget:
47% of the budget, amounting to 587 million euros, will be dedicated to social action, with a particular focus on the elderly and disabled. For example, 55 million euros will be used to improve living and working conditions in nursing homes, especially by doubling the occupancy of rooms and upgrading shower facilities. In addition to supporting the elderly and disabled, part of the budget will also be allocated to child and family assistance.
292 million euros will be allocated to territorial development, notably for road infrastructure and solidarity policies with municipalities. This budget will fit into the mobility plan 2028, which includes, among other projects, the creation and rehabilitation of road structures, a new Provence Côte-d’Azur rail line, and cycling facilities.
102 million euros will be devoted to educational, sports, and cultural policies, including 35 million as a starting point for the college plan 2028. This plan includes, notably, the reconstruction of the Campelières college in Mougins, studies for the construction of four new colleges in Levens, and the rehabilitation of other colleges such as Vallergues in Cannes or Camus in Mandelieu.
“To continue the essential reconstruction of our valleys, we will again allocate 83 million euros in 2022,” added Charles-Ange Ginésy, referencing the valleys damaged by storm Alex. The necessary work in the Var and Estéron valleys will be completed in 2022, and access to Castérino in the Roya will be restored by this summer. Finally, 600,000 euros will be allocated to ensure the continuity of rehousing and support actions for those affected.
24 million euros will be dedicated to environmental policy, which includes the enhancement of natural parks, hiking routes, an initial project for a photovoltaic farm in Saint-Auban, and a social fund of 2.2 million euros for energy-efficient housing renovations.
Lastly, 4 million euros will be devoted to digital transformation policy, which notably encompasses the week and the artificial intelligence festival that occurs in Cannes in February.
The department president concluded this plenary session by stating that “this budget and these projects serve a single ambition: to make the Alpes-Maritimes a land of excellence, intelligence, and sustainability. This aspiration is based above all on the talent of the people at the heart of our incredible community. The flourishing of the people of the Alpes-Maritimes is our sole compass.”
