The accountability documents, approved today with the abstention of the PS, record a considerable increase of 4.7 million euros (31%) in expenses with the acquisition of goods and services and the increase of interest payments by more than 374 thousand euros.

Personnel expenses also increased by 1.7 million euros (10%) due to salary updates and the process of decentralization of powers, which increased the number of employees.

"It was a difficult economic exercise, with several constraints. We present accounts that reflect the repercussions of the current situation, but that demonstrate the effort of financial balance in the municipal accounts", said the vice-president of the municipality, Anabela Tabaçó.

The mayor, who holds the municipal finance portfolio, also highlighted the increase of two million euros in the price revision of the contracts approved in 2023, which represented an increase of 61.5% compared to 2022.

In the presentation of the documents, Anabela Tabaçó also highlighted the impact of the "brutal" increase in solid waste tariffs imposed by ERSUC-Resíduos Sólidos do Centro, which generated a tariff deficit for the municipality of 636,767 euros compared to the previous year.

With a revenue of 77 million euros, the Figueira da Foz City Council recorded an increase in direct taxes, with emphasis on the increase of two million euros (more than 50% compared to 2023) in the municipal tax (applied to companies).

According to the mayor, between the extinction and the creation of new companies there is a positive balance of more than 111, which generated a significant increase in the volume of business.

The vice-president of the municipality led by Pedro Santana Lopes pointed out that the Multi-Year Investment Plan recorded an execution of 82.59% in relation to the processes already awarded and in execution.

Transfers to the Parish Councils totaled 1.36 million euros, representing an increase of over 20% compared to 2022.

The executive of the Figueira a Primeira movement, which is in its first term, also highlighted the reduction of 1.7 million euros in the municipal liabilities, which on December 31st were 21.4 million euros.

Despite opting for abstention, the PS welcomed the execution rate, the reduction in liabilities and the increase in revenue, namely from the municipal tax.

"This accountability report reveals the relevance of the proposals that the PS fought for in the discussion of the budget, which allowed an increase in transfers to the parishes in the order of 20%", stressed councilwoman Diana Rodrigues.

The socialist mayor expressed concern about the execution of co-financed projects, namely the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), "which led to a reduction in revenue at the level of community funds".

"We believe that due to the lower expression of the debt service and the increase in revenue, it is reasonable to aim for a more robust investment and execution of the most fundamental projects to strengthen the competitiveness of the municipality and the living conditions of the people of Figueira", she stressed.

The mayor of Figueira da Foz, who closed the discussion on accountability, highlighted that of the 19 municipalities that make up the Intermunicipal Community of the Coimbra Region, only five municipalities recorded positive balances.

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