The budget of the municipality of Nice is always a subject of attention and criticism from the opposition, which condemns Christian Estrosi’s decisions that result in excessive debt.
The transfer of the cost of tramway lines 2 and 3 (it’s not necessary to go back to the cost overrun due to the tunnel) to the responsibility of the Metropolis has reduced the municipal debt, bringing it back to less than 500 million euros (478 million euros to be precise) with a reduction of external financing by 45 million euros over two years.
The signing of the “confidence pact” with the State has “certified” management in terms of controlling operating expenses (587.3 million euros, a decrease of 16.3 over two years).
Overall, the result shows a surplus balance of 14.7 million euros.
As a result, the investment policy has been raised to 109.9 million euros from 80.8 million in 2018.*
Subsidies amounted to 90 million euros.
In his presentation, the first deputy Philippe Pradal – in charge of finances, wanted to remind that this 2019 budget includes:
• A decrease of nearly 10% in the property tax, to which an equivalent reduction has since been added in 2020,
• The creation of a new social cafeteria rate of 80 cents for kindergartens and 1 euro for elementary schools, which now benefits more than 2,000 children (1,300 families).
In the end, the debt reduction capacity is 6.3 years instead of the 12 years recommended by the State.
