Property Tax (IBI). Despite the fragile situation of municipal finances, the governing body has rejected the possibility of increasing property tax that would alleviate the debt burden. We understand that doing otherwise would not have been an appropriate measure in the current situation, since it would have hurt even more the pockets of many families.
The only increase in property tax in 2012 was the one corresponding to the CPI adjustment. In this regard, I want to answer some incorrect information and stress that Property Tax (IBI) does not include garbage collection fee: by no means a tax can be charged on another tax. The public should know that the City Hall covers an important part of the garbage collection fee, to avoid citizens from taking the full burden of such a tax.
Moreover, with the aim of fostering civic responsibility, the City Council is preparing a package of subsidies to encourage recycling among citizens. Such subsidies will be announced during the coming weeks. Nurseries. I am fully aware that the situation in such centers is complicated. The wage reductions of workers due to the irregular and irresponsible management of the former government does not foster an ideal working environment, but I want to recognize the professionalism of this team, that despite the sacrifices they have had to make, still maintain their spirit of service.
We were forced to increase fees in those centers because the previous government did not apply the CPI adjustment hike. That is, the fact that fees of nurseries was frozen during recent years, when the dire conditions of our local economy did not advise it, has disguised our update as an increase. However, it should be emphasized that the current prices of municipal nurseries are fully in tune with the rest of the region, and users from Sitges do not pay more than they should. In addition, the City Council of Sitges is ensuring that the13 and 14 educators from our nurseries will remain in the staff, although the ratios of the Catalonian Autonomous Government stipulate 10 workers according to classrooms and children.
EL RUSC. The decision to close the El Rusc Open Centre was motivated by a double cause: first, the authorized undertaking announced the cessation of services, and secondly, the gradual decline of users placed this center at absolutely untenable levels. When the number of users is so low, as was the case of El Rusc, it is difficult to maintain an investment that proved too much for municipal finances. It should be noted here that the services rendered by El Rusc, although not in identical form, can be provided by the toy libraries of Esteve Barrachina and Miquel Utrillo.
In every case, we are dealing here with measures that have a common link: the need to rationalize investments and expenses, and the reduction of the very large debt that burdens our municipal finances. The government of The New Majority, despite atrocious legacy left by the former government, will never abandon its duties and responsibilities. The New Majority will continue their hard work to find the right balance between the gradual recoveries of municipal accounts, while maintaining the necessary services to all the citizens of Sitges.
