Budget 2024
The Municipality of Wassenaar presents a balanced budget 2024. The budget states what the municipality spends money on and how the plans of the college are translated into policies and finances. These plans are contained in the coalition agreement "Together for Wassenaar" 2023-2026 presented by the college in March 2023. Alderman Laurens van Doeveren of Finance: "This budget allows us to work together with Wassenaarders. I think it is important to provide insight into how the municipality of Wassenaar is going to spend and invest your money, as well as how the household book will be kept in order."
How to keep the household book in order
The budget is balanced. "That means that every euro of current expenditure on, for example, sports, youth work, culture or traffic safety is also covered by structural income through the municipal fund or taxes," explains the Alderman . "This way, there are no deficits that are added through the savings pot."
Why Wassenaar is saving for new investments
On investments, the municipality depreciates. Thus Wassenaar collectively saves to be able to replace facilities such as the sewer system, the swimming pool, the school buildings or the new sports hall in a timely manner when necessary. This adds 2.5 million euros annually to the savings pot, which amount is also increasing.
"It is therefore responsible to make investments that are necessary. Delay is often expensive and leads to overdue maintenance or fewer community facilities. Liquidity dwindles to clean up the municipal yard, build a school or fill in the green zone, for example," Van Doeveren said. "The municipality invests responsibly where necessary, which strengthens the power of governance for all Wassenaarders. With a balanced budget, replenishing the piggy bank and working well together for the village, Wassenaar will remain independent."
The Wassenaarder at 1: No increase in OZB or tourist tax
Although life has become considerably more expensive in recent years, the College -in line with the coalition agreement from 2023- does not opt for deliberate tax increases for residents and business owners. "With prudent budgeting, raising money from Wassenaarders to pocket money without new spending is not necessary," Van Doeveren stressed. Starting in 2026, the municipality faces national deficits, as does every municipality, for which it requires a solution from the state. About this, the College is in close contact with municipalities in our region to keep its finger on the pulse and find a solution with the new cabinet.
In conclusion; life consists of more than numbers
The municipality is not a bank or a company, but the government that stands beside the resident and can make a difference in Wassenaar. "That means continuing to work on sustainability, more sports facilities, good Health, a cozy center, social institutions and entrepreneurs. And solving long-running dossiers such as investing in our village center, traffic safety, cleaning up the municipal yard and spatial tasks such as preserving the family beach, housing construction, maintaining entrepreneurship and strengthening the Green Zone with Valkenburg. This makes Wassenaar a permanently special and beautiful village in this busy region," said Alderman Laurens van Doeveren.