The City Council approves the budget for 2026 with 132 million and the largest IBI decrease

The Plenary has given the green light to the initial approval of accounts that include more than 27 million euros for productive investments, and allocates more than 6.6 million euros for the largest reduction of the Real Estate Tax (IBI) made in the city. It is the first budget where it is not necessary to face the more than 300 million euros of inherited debt, once reached the ‘de

The Plenary of the City Council of Estepona today gave the green light to the initial approval of the municipal budget for 2026, which reaches 132 million euros and present a historical maximum of investments and an important social character, after consolidating the largest tax cut that has been made in the city.

The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, explained that it is “a historic budget, where – for the first time – we no longer have to deal with more than 300 million euros of inherited debt, and that allows us to better face the future of the city”.

The alderman has pointed out that “a new economic era is opening in the management of public resources” where the important efforts of tens of millions of euros that annually were directed to amortize that inherited debt are no longer necessary for that purpose and “will be used in the most important thing: to continue improving the city, with more investments and better services for all, paying special attention to the maintenance of public spaces; as well as to contribute to the social welfare of the neighbors”.

“The year 2026 will be important because we will continue very close to full employment with very positive economic data. The City Council has done what others say but few do, which is to lower taxes, and that comes after paying a significant debt,” he added.

García Urbano wanted to congratulate the municipal economic team for “the work they have been developing and that has allowed us in recent years to go liquidating debt, while it has been possible to go providing the city with important public facilities”.

The municipal budget maintains in all its magnitudes the criteria of prudence, credibility, responsibility and complies with the regulations that apply to it. In relation to the great investment effort, it is necessary to emphasize the increase of almost 60% in this item, where it is foreseen to carry out actions for an amount of more than 27 million Euros.

In this way, the budget includes items to continue the work that will extend the great pedestrian boulevard generated next to the Mediterranean to merge it with the remodeled urban center; for the completion of the parking at a cost of 1 euro/day for the citizen in the surroundings of the church of Carmen; to complete the union of the entire coastal corridor; for the creation of a river path in the Guadalmina river or for the execution of new sports facilities, such as the construction of a velodrome and facilities for soccer and rugby in the northern area of the city. Likewise, the reinforcement of the maintenance and care services of the whole city is contemplated, with special attention to the suburban areas, a plan for the improvement of public lighting, a new asphalting plan and a plan for the remodeling of playgrounds and green areas, among other actions.

In the investment section, the budget also includes the improvement of public facilities, the reform of the Fair and Sports Park and the conservation and acquisition of materials for beaches and gardens, as well as the maintenance of educational centers and nursery schools, with an important action for the air conditioning of centers that do not yet have this equipment in their classrooms.

On the other hand, public safety is reinforced with the integral reform of the Local Police Headquarters and the gymnasium; as well as with the provision of vehicles for police officers and members of Civil Protection and the installation of security cameras in the city.

In relation to personnel expenses, it is also foreseen the allocation of funds to continue making new public calls for employment for local police officers, as well as for administrative personnel.

In the cultural field, the municipal budget continues to allocate important items. Specifically, for the equipment and funding of the Mirador del Carmen Cultural Center, since it is one of the most decisive bets for modernization, social transformation and cultural positioning of the city.

Likewise, resources continue to be incorporated to support cultural activity with initiatives such as the City of Estepona Novel and Poetry Awards, linked to the Pre-Textos publishing house. There are also provisions for the improvement of the Route of Artistic Murals, for the rehabilitation of museums and historical heritage, as well as for the extensive cultural programming and events that are planned for the city.

Economic injection for families

The budget contains an item of more than 6.6 million euros to, again, apply the largest reduction in Real Estate Tax (IBI) made in the city. The mayor has pointed out that “it is one of the most powerful social actions that can be carried out from an Administration, since it allows a great economic injection in the pockets of citizens, with all the benefits that this entails”.

With regard to social investment, the government team continues to pay special attention to social needs and to collaboration with groups and charities. Thus, resources amounting to some 10 million euros are dedicated to programs, aid and initiatives aimed at supporting citizens who are in a situation of vulnerability.

Among other measures, the allocation for dependency aid is increased, with an allocation of almost 5 million euros, to attend to a record number of more than 800 users.

Finally, it should be noted that the City Council of Estepona complies, one more year, with its obligation to submit on time the municipal budget for next year, being, again, one of the first municipalities in Spain to carry out this procedure.

On the other hand, the Plenary has given the green light to the initial approval of two ordinances: the Regulatory Ordinance for the Circulation and Use of Personal Mobility Vehicles; and the Regulatory Ordinance for the non-tax public provision of the service of Removal, Transfer and Deposit of vehicles in the municipality of Estepona.