Mayor Fandakova: "Our main priorities remain - transport and transport infrastructure, education and energy efficiency and the high priority that brings together almost all major projects - ecology and cleaner environment and air."
Sofia budget 2018 is BGN 1.556 billion, which is by BGN 200 million more than the initial budget for 2017. It was adopted by the Sofia Municipal Council at a regular meeting on January 25th.
"The budget of Sofia is one of the most eloquent testimonies to the financial stability of the municipality, the good governance of the municipal property and the municipal economy”, said Mayor Fandakova. At the end of last year, Sofia received for the first time an investment grade by the Standard & Poor’s rating agency, which is reflected in a decrease in the cost of the funds we use. Apart from the hard work, the steady growth is also due to the trust we get from the citizens and the European Commission".
In the recent years, there is a clear trend towards constant growth of own revenues, where BGN 184 million more were provided in the period from 2012 to 2017. Own revenues for 2018 are BGN 661 million. Against this background, the two main taxes paid by the citizens bring BGN 103.5 million from real estate tax and BGN 196 million from waste collection tax, respectively, with which we fully fund street cleaning and waste treatment.
"We have provided over BGN 554 million for the capital program in 2018, where 60% thereof are funds approved under the European programs. Our main priorities remain - transport and transport infrastructure, education and energy efficiency and the high priority that brings together almost all major projects - ecology and cleaner environment and air”, the mayor said.
The subway remains our leading transport and environmental project, which currently saves 75 thousand tons of harmful emissions per year. With the completion of the third beam, the greenhouse gas emissions saved will be 90 thousand tons per year, and we expect a significant reduction in the traffic in the areas of its route.
The investment in transport and better road infrastructure continues, as they are set as key measures in the air quality management programme. We will invest over BGN 124 million in major reconstructions of streets and boulevards, construction and repair of streets in the neighbourhoods, complete overhaul of tramways and bridge facilities. For the first year, the funds for streets in the neighbourhoods will be more than the funds allocated for major boulevards and streets. We will invest over BGN 37 million in neighbourhood streets.