The plenary session of the city council approved the 2020 budget with a total of € 40,249,500 (+2% vs. the previous year).
The mayor of the city, Ana Sala, stated that "this is a participatory budget based on the priorities of all Council members and in which investments have increased by 6% to improve the quality of life of all people living in Calpe".
The adopted budget also includes a "reduction in tax pressure, with a 5% reduction in the IBI (property tax), which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on citizens", Sala added.
One of the most important projects that will be carried out in 2020 and that will appear in this budget is the renovation of the "La Manzanera" Club Social, for which 1.2 million euros are earmarked, including the renovation of the clubhouse, the coastal path, the jetty and the renovation of a parking lot.
Another innovation in these budgets is that an item of €80,000 has been earmarked to help families pay for vaccines that are not included in the vaccination calendar and amount to between €400 and €500 per child.
It is precisely the "social benefits" category that is growing the most with 30%. These include the Ludoteca (toy library), the lighting and ventilation of the Ifach Pavilion, the completion of the Espai Park and the purchase of furniture for the creation of a coworking space on the Campus d'Excel-lència Empresarial Casa Nova. 60,000 euros are also earmarked for the adaptation of Casa Roja for a family accommodation unit and for specialist workshops.
For the beaches, the city will launch a new call for tenders for 1.2 million euros for rescue and lifeguards for rescue and lifeguards so that the lifeguards can work on the beaches for longer and more months, which will certainly benefit all the citizens of Calpe and our guests.
With the aim of making Calpe more accessible, there is a new project for Die Zuhart to the Instituto, as well as the project and connection of the N-332 highway with the Avenida Diputación and the project of the Pont Roig-Ejércitos Españoles and Pont Roig-Vall de Laguard bridges.
The budget also includes sums for the development of the Rafol-Empredola E-road project, the coastal route and the via ferrata, as well as the preparation of the Plaza Mayor.
As far as the Urbanizaciones are concerned, the lighting plans and the installation of 500 new letterboxes will continue.
As far as the old town is concerned, the renovation of the murals and the installation of new statues are planned to make it more attractive.
Other projects are aimed at raising awareness of projects of tourist interest and financing a new information office for the 21st century or the construction of giant information boards.
Two Compromís Group amendments adopted
The Compromís Group tabled two amendments to the budget, which were adopted by a majority. One of the amendments concerns the creation of a position of EUR 10 000 for the sealing of the old landfill.
The second of the amendments concerns the creation of a supplementary budget line for the provision of domestic care services for dependent persons.
Juan Santos, re-elected justice of the peace in Calpe.
Yesterday's agenda included the election of a new Justice of the Peace. During the vote, Juan Santos, who had previously been a justice of the peace, was re-elected with 11 votes in front of the former Bernardo Moll city councilor with 9 votes. Dominica Lafuente received only one vote.
In a second vote for the election of the substitute peace judge, there was a draw between Bernat Banyuls and Bernardo Moll, so that the result is forwarded to the Supreme Court to examine what needs to be done in this case.