Agglomeration Faces Budget Crisis, Service Cuts Loom

During a debate on budgetary orientations, Jacques Bilirit presented various financial scenarios, ranging from worst to least unfavorable. “The bill is unacceptable to the community. What is happening is unprecedented for the Agglo. As it stands,the impact will be 5 million euros,or more than 10% of operating revenue. We can add another 700,000 euros of impact for the 43 municipalities of VGA,” said the mayor of Fourques-sur-Garonne, noting that VGA has already absorbed nearly 8 million euros in cuts since the start of the current term.

According to Jacques Bilirit, the Marmandaise agglomeration would be the most exposed in the department, more than that of Agen or even Bordeaux.

Bilirit explained that the community faces a disproportionately high impact compared to other areas in the department, including Agen and Bordeaux. Using supporting tables and graphs, he demonstrated how the community’s net savings would decrease from 2.5 million euros to approximately 400,000 euros next year, and how its debt reduction capacity would deteriorate rapidly.

Taxation

Faced with a budget shortfall of 5 to 4 million euros, even in the most optimistic scenario, community officials have ruled out increasing local taxes. They also rejected the option of depleting existing savings. This leaves reducing public services as the remaining option.