Geldrop-Mierlo Presents a Balanced Budget for 2027–2030: Room for Ambitions Despite Financial Trade-offs

The budget does not stand alone. After the summer, the municipal executive presented a package of potential budget cuts and measures to structurally improve the municipality’s financial position. During the policy discussion on September 15, the City Council discussed these matters with one another and with the municipal executive. The Council asked questions about the consequences for residents, business owners, and organizations, as well as about the expected returns and feasibility of the measures. The municipal executive answered these questions and incorporated the results into the budget. “We listened carefully to the questions and concerns raised by the city council. This helped us further refine the proposals. We’re not just looking at the bottom line, but also at what each decision means for residents, organizations, businesses, and our administration. In this way, we’re seeking the right balance overall,” says Frans Stravers, Finance Alderman , on behalf of the city administration.

Every choice has consequences

The debate with the city council led to adjustments on several points. For example, it is proposed to retain the leaf bins. In making this decision, the city council considered not only the financial savings but also the value of the additional service for residents. It is also proposed not to implement an increase in parking rates. However, the municipal executive is sticking to its earlier cost-cutting proposal to eliminate the option of parking for free for the second hour. In addition, the municipal executive intends to reduce the budget for the new corporate identity from €150,000 to €75,000, spread over four years. Other proposals were also reviewed in response to questions from the council. For example, the rent increase for outdoor sports facilities has been postponed until 2028. Financial returns are therefore not the only factor that matters; the impact on the living environment and public services is also taken into account.

Not Just Saving Money

Achieving financial stability does not mean that the municipality will focus solely on cutting costs. The budget still allows for initiatives such as housing construction, sustainability, a healthy living environment, and prevention. The latter, for example, is important in the social sector. By providing assistance earlier and investing in physical activity and education, the municipality aims to prevent problems from escalating and the need for more intensive support down the line.

Alderman Stravers: “Prevention is cheaper than cure. Sometimes that means investing now to avoid problems and costs later on.Evenwhen financial resources are limited, we must continue to focus on what will yield the greatest long-term benefits for our residents.” 

Ambitions remain, but we can't do everything at once

The financial situation calls for setting priorities. We can’t do everything at once. At the same time, the municipal executive wants to ensure that financial decisions do not stand in the way of our ambitions for the future.

For example, the limited capacity of the power grid makes housing construction and new developments more complicated. That is why the municipality is exploring alternative solutions, partnerships, and the targeted use of federal grants and other external funding.

“The financial situation is forcing us to make choices. But making choices doesn’t mean we’re giving up on our ambitions,” says Stravers. “With this budget, we’re reconciling the financial challenge with the broad council program. This leaves room to work on important ambitions,” says Alderman Stravers.