Delegation of competences and investments increase Paredes’ budget

“It is the biggest budget that my executive has presented until today”, said the mayor of Paredes, Alexandre Almeida, in the presentation of the budget for 2023. The document, approved by the socialist majority, in an executive meeting, deserved the votes against of the PSD councilors.

The budget increased to 92.8 million euros, justified Alexandre Almeida, due to the delegation of powers assumed in the areas of Education, Health and Social Action and due to the fact that next year will be the one “with the highest volume of works in the municipality simultaneously “.

It also includes works by Portugal 2020 and also others financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan, cases of rehousing the gypsy community (2.5 million euros), the reconversion of the Vilela monastery into a museum of wooden furniture and arts (3, 5 million euros), or the creation of a cultural center and Casa Museu Daniel Faria, in Baltar (1.6 million euros).

Works are foreseen in all the parishes and the delegation of competences in the parish councils will remain. According to the mayor, the document also provides for a doubling of social support for vulnerable families, which rises from 200,000 to more than 400,000 euros, items that can still be reinforced.

The tax burden on families and companies will continue “at a minimum”, with the IMI rate at 0.3% and exemption from surcharges for micro and small companies with a turnover of up to 150 thousand euros. The Autarchy will also continue to provide tax benefits and will proceed with the expansion of the Industrial Zone of Parada/Baltar to establish companies.

Among others, the document highlights that 2023 will be “the first year of activity of the SMAS – Municipalized Water and Sanitation Services” and marks “in a decisive way” the investment in expanding the water and sanitation network in the municipality, with the approval of the Court of Accounts for loan that allows the redemption of the concession in the month of December.

PSD voters voted against and criticized “the increase in tax revenue of almost 1.3 million euros”, a “tax increase of around 10% compared to 2022”. “The municipal executive expects to withdraw more than 15 million euros from the pockets of Wallans, be they companies or mere citizens”, points out the party, accusing the socialist executive of turning the Chamber into a “glutton” that “cleans the pockets of Paredes” to feed current expenses and “seven full-time councilors”, as well as the increase “of around 50% in staff costs, from 13 million euros in 2022 to 20 million euros in 2023”.