The City Council prepares the 2026 budget with an all-time high in investments and lower taxes after paying off the inherited debt of 300 million euros.

The economic document contemplates more than 132 million euros in revenues, raises productive investments to more than 27 million euros and allocates more than 6.6 million euros for the largest Real Estate Tax (IBI) reduction ever made in the city.

The mayor stressed that “a new economic era in the management of municipal resources” where the important efforts of tens of millions of euros that annually went to repay the inherited debt will be used to continue improving the city, to strengthen the maintenance and contribute to the welfare of the neighbors.

The City Council of Estepona will submit to the Plenary of the Corporation, which will take place next Friday, September 26, the initial approval of the municipal Budget for the year 2026, which stands at more than 132 million euros.

The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, explained that it is “a historic budget, where – for the first time – no longer have to deal with more than 300 million euros of inherited debt and that, as a result of the milestone of reaching that ‘zero debt’ has managed to develop accounts with a record of public investment and with an important social character, after consolidating the largest tax cut that has been made in the city.”

The alderman has pointed out that “a new economic era opens 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.”

“If anything has been evidenced in recent years is that the management model and city developed have given excellent results, therefore, the continuation of the same will continue to be the guarantee of prosperity and progress for Estepona,” he added.

In this regard, the councilor has referred to the outstanding economic results obtained, exceeding all expectations and achieving the best parameters since municipal records have been kept. In fact, the liquidation of the 2024 budget closed with a cash surplus of more than 45 million euros, a budget stability of more than 24 million euros and a balance in bank accounts of more than 98 million euros.

The municipal budget maintains in all its magnitudes the criteria of prudence, credibility, responsibility and complies with the applicable regulations. In relation to the great investment effort, it is worth highlighting the increase of almost 60% in this item, where it is planned to carry out actions for an amount of more than 27 million euros. “We are convinced, and all objective parameters prove it, that the city model resulting from our initiatives has been a success in all areas, generating a great impact, modernizing the city and being a clear stimulator of economic and social activity,” explained the mayor, noting that Estepona continues to lead the municipalities with the lowest unemployment rate in Andalusia.

In this way, items are included to continue the work that will expand the great pedestrian boulevard generated along 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 vicinity 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 implementation of new sports facilities, such as the construction of a velodrome and facilities for soccer and rugby in the north 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. The cost of the municipal staff is below 40% of the revenues collected and the salary increase is foreseen to recover the purchasing power lost in these years due to the limitations of the General State Budget Law.

In another order of things, it is necessary to emphasize the effort of management and cultural planning so that Estepona is today a city where artistic expressions enjoy a wide social prominence. Therefore, the municipal budget continues to allocate significant items for this area, which has managed to become another energizing element of the city. Specifically, the Mirador del Carmen is already a first-class reference point for the arts and humanities. The exhibition hall with collections of maximum relevance, the auditorium with a wide range of artistic events, the spectacular library of contemporary cultures, the lookout tower from which to enjoy the best views of the city, and the long-awaited music conservatory. The budget continues to include items for its equipment and funds, given that this facility is one of the most decisive for the 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”. “There is no better social policy or more far-reaching than applying this significant help to the economy of families, without this entailing a decrease in the services provided and a brake on the progress of the city, but quite the opposite,” he added.

Thus, the achievement of the ‘zero debt’ has allowed one of the main economic items from those resources that are no longer needed for debt repayment has a cross-cutting nature and is intended for the families of Estepona.

Regarding social investment, the government team continues with a special attention to social needs and collaboration with groups and charities. In this way, resources amounting to about 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 users.

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