MOM: First reading of the $233 million budget approved

The City Council of Maribor has officially approved the draft budget for 2027, which amounts to 233 million euros. This decision marks a significant step forward in planning the city's financial framework for the upcoming year. According to Alenka Tovornik, head of the Finance and Budget Office, the budget is development-oriented, with over 80 million euros allocated towards infrastructure investments such as road networks, water supply systems, sewage infrastructure, energy renovations of public buildings, and continuing projects like the Tezno Health Station, Rotovž Center, and the renovation of the Primary School Angela Besednjaka. However, several key financial figures will remain uncertain until later months of the year, prompting the municipality to anticipate a potential rebalancing of the budget early in 2027. Part of the budget relies on assumptions regarding average wages and other state funds, while new borrowing is also planned. These factors raise questions about the realism of current projections and the actual financial position of the city once national decisions are finalized.

Political representatives have expressed varied opinions on the proposed budget. Milan Mikl, a member of the Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS), raised concerns primarily about the level of debt and the feasibility of planned investments. He emphasized that Maribor requires responsible financial policies rather than "predetermined" projects with grandiose ambitions. Mikl pointed out high costs associated with project documentation and warned that adopting the budget just before local elections could limit future flexibility for the next mayor and city council in setting development priorities. Despite these reservations, he indicated support for the budget in its first reading, expecting further clarifications and adjustments during subsequent reviews.

Zdravko Luketič, representing the New Slovenia (NSi), highlighted the need for the city to focus on its residents alongside large-scale investment projects. He advocated for aligning subsidies for kindergartens with rising living costs and suggested allocating some revenue from radars toward initiatives directly benefiting citizens. Additionally, he called attention to supporting startups and carefully considering the funding of domestic activities in Maribor. Luketič stressed the importance of making the city welcoming for smaller, community-focused projects, particularly emphasizing efforts to improve lives, especially for children who represent the future.

Samo Peter Medved, representing the Arsenovič for Maribor initiative, acknowledged concerns about approving the budget near the end of the current mandate but noted that experience shows it would be easier for the incoming team to take over leadership with an already accepted budget. This ensures continuity in operations and smooth tender processes, allowing the new administration to prepare a rebalanced budget if needed. Therefore, they supported the proposed budget in its initial review.

Alenka Iskra from the Social Democrats (SD) endorsed the early consideration of the budget, highlighting that it would provide continuity for future municipal teams and maintain the city’s developmental pace. She anticipated that by the second reading, there would be an overview of investments per district and local communities. Reflecting on past experiences where initial preparations were necessary, she mentioned that previous investments had been more concentrated in the city center. She also addressed the issue of debt and hinted at possible amendments from the SD parliamentary group during the second reading.

Igor Jurišič from the Youth Party – Greens of Europe expressed hesitation regarding the budget, focusing on the projected 83 percent reduction in funds for domestic affairs. His comments indicate a critical stance towards certain aspects of the budget proposal, suggesting areas where further scrutiny might be warranted.

The approval of this substantial budget comes amid discussions about the city’s approach to attracting both domestic and foreign investors, aiming to create new jobs and drive Maribor’s development. The mayor, Saša Arsenovič, explained that regular meetings with potential investors occur, yet his primary concern lies in addressing the numerous unimplemented projects awaiting realization within the city. These projects are often stalled due to requirements from the Ministry of Culture, which oversees the protection of cultural heritage. Six major projects are currently waiting for positive assessments from the Cultural Heritage Protection Institute of Slovenia (ZVKDS), which evaluates their impact on historical sites and determines whether they can proceed.

These stalled projects include residential complexes and commercial spaces located in historically protected areas of the city, such as along Ruška Cesta, Taborsko Nabrežje, near Ljudski Vrt, Gledališka Ulica, Ribiška Ulica, and near Maribox. While some smaller projects have received favorable evaluations, the larger ones face delays due to complex negotiations involving cultural preservation standards. The ZVKDS emphasizes the necessity of careful alignment between development initiatives and cultural heritage conservation, particularly concerning the scale of new structures relative to existing historic buildings. This ongoing challenge highlights the delicate balance required when pursuing urban growth while safeguarding Maribor’s rich historical legacy.