Zaanstad Explores Revenue Generation from Municipal Affiliates

Zaanstad municipality is actively exploring ways to increase revenue through its relationships with affiliated organizations, driven by a pressing financial need and anticipating future budgetary challenges. This initiative follows a motion proposed by council members Annemarie van Nieuwamerongen (VVD), Merel Kingma (D66), and Nick Hendriks (CDA), and supported by a majority of the council.

Focus on ‘Related Parties’

Last year, Van Nieuwamerongen, Kingma, and Hendriks suggested a review of “related parties”—clubs and organizations with financial ties to the municipality—to identify potential income streams. Councilor Stephanie Onclin was tasked with investigating these opportunities.

Income-Generating Initiatives

• Werkom: This organization will begin packaging food products to generate additional income, details of which will be included in their next budget.
• GGD: The local health authority (GGD) will increase rates for traveler vaccinations by 10 percent.
• Twiske Recreation Area: The Twiske-Waterland Recreation Board, a partnership between the province of North Holland and several municipalities including Zaanstad, presents significant revenue potential.

Twiske Recreation Area: Detailed Revenue Options

The Twiske recreation area is a key focus for revenue generation. Several options are being considered:

• Parking Fees: A 15 percent increase in parking rates could generate an additional €71,262 annually. A 25 percent increase could yield €116,469.
• Subscription Prices: Increasing the annual subscription price by €5 could generate €11,000 per year.
• ‘Into the Woods’ Festival: The new ‘Into the Woods’ festival, planned for 2026, is expected to generate at least €25,000, plus an additional €4,000 for every 1,000 additional visitors. This festival is anticipated to be smaller than the previously held ‘Welcome to the Future’ event.

Revenue Distribution

The additional income generated from these initiatives will be shared among all affiliated municipalities, including those involved with the GGD, Werkom, and the Twiske Recreation Area.

Background: Annemarie van Nieuwamerongen and VVD List Controversy

Annemarie van Nieuwamerongen, a Zaanstad council member for the VVD, was previously prevented from being placed on the VVD list for the next election cycle due to a party rule requiring members to step down after two terms. She was offered a position as a “listduwer” (placed at the bottom of the list) only if she agreed not to campaign or solicit votes, and to decline the position if she received enough preference votes. Van Nieuwamerongen declined this offer, citing concerns that it could violate the Dutch Municipal Law (Gemeentewet), specifically Article 27, which states that elected officials with sufficient votes should be installed. [Source: De Orkaan]

Van Nieuwamerongen also serves as a coordinator at Inloophuis De Bron and as treasurer for the VVD Zaanstad faction. [Source: Zaanstad Bestuurlijke Informatie]