Budget 2025
Wassenaar City Council today presented the Budget 2025. In it, for the coming year, the available nearly 90 million euros are carefully distributed among essential facilities such as safety, Health, education, sports, infrastructure and the management of public spaces and green spaces. Despite the uncertain and challenging financial outlook, the 2025 budget remains balanced. And the Wassenaar City Council is determined to maintain a solid financial policy in the future.
Tough times for municipal finances
Starting in 2026, municipalities in the Netherlands will face substantial cuts from the national government, the main source of income for municipalities, including Wassenaar. This means that in the coming years the municipality will have to perform more tasks with considerably fewer financial resources.
Alderman Finance Laurens van Doeveren emphasizes the seriousness of the situation: "The financial future is challenging. We will have to deal with substantial cuts from the state, but that does not alter the fact that as a municipality we must continue to deliver what our residents, entrepreneurs and social organizations count on. Wassenaar remains at the forefront as a reliable and stable government."
The 2025 municipal budget is presented against the backdrop of these cuts, with the college having already taken measures to implement 5 million euros in savings and revenue-raising actions in the previously adopted 2025 Framework Memorandum. This has been approved by the City Council, with the premise being to distribute these measures evenly among the various groups and carefully weigh major investments.
Van Doeveren explained, "We have deliberately chosen a balanced approach to prevent certain groups from being disproportionately affected by the cuts. Together we bear the burden, and we do so in a way that is balanced and in which no group falls through the ice."
Continuing to seize opportunities: investing in a vibrant Wassenaar
Despite the savings, there remains room within the 2025 budget for much-needed investments that promote the livability and vitality of Wassenaar. For example, projects such as the new sports hall 'De Duinpan', the renewal of school buildings, green and outdoor spaces, new housing projects and the development of the future-proof village center will continue unabated. These investments, according to the municipal government, are essential to keep Wassenaar lively and attractive for both residents and entrepreneurs.
Van Doeveren: "The money we manage as a municipality is a means to achieve our goals, not an end in itself. We must continue to invest in our community so that Wassenaar remains a place where it is pleasant to live, work, relax and do business. Think of facilities such as sports facilities, quality education, and attractive housing projects that contribute to the well-being of our residents and the attractiveness of the village."
Balanced budget with an eye to the future
Although the financial challenges for the coming years are significant, the budget for 2025 remains balanced. Wassenaar is counting on an unqualified opinion from the province, thus maintaining its solid financial position. However, should the State make further cuts, additional measures may be required in the 2026 Framework Memorandum to keep the budget balanced in the long term as well. The municipal government will keep its finger on the pulse in order to be able to react in a timely and adequate manner to any further financial setbacks.
Alderman Van Doeveren concludes on a positive note: "Despite the financial challenge we face, we remain committed to a financially healthy municipality. We will continue to invest in Wassenaar, but always within the framework of a balanced budget. That is an essential precondition for good governance."