Sittard-Geleen presents balanced budget for 2026 with room for investments
The municipality of Sittard-Geleen has presented a balanced budget for 2026, even in these turbulent times. Thanks to prudent budgeting and strong financial management, Sittard-Geleen can also look forward to balanced budget figures in the years to come.
At the same time, there is still room for an investment agenda. This is stated in the budget that the city’s Chief Executive will present to the city council. The budget outlines the municipality's plans for the next few years and how to finance them.
Stable line
The municipality adheres to a stable financial line, focusing on careful budgeting, restrained structural obligations, and creating some space for investment. Due to incidental national contributions, a different use of the so-called 'robust budget' item, and windfalls on capital charges, approximately €10 million will be available annually for additional investments over the next four years. Additionally, the operating budget will grow from €0.5 in 2026 to €2 million per year in 2029.
This investment space will be used, among other things, for the energy and heat transition. The municipality is reserving funds for a series of future-proof renovations and structural improvements of the secondary schools in Sittard-Geleen. The locations of the Graaf Huyn College in Geleen and Trevianum in Sittard will undergo significant modernisations and educational optimisations in the next few years.
Social domain
The social domain remains the largest budget item. The municipality continues to focus on the positive health of its residents. More attention will be paid to the PLUSwijk neighbourhood project, aiming for health gains through prevention. Additionally, extra investments will be made in social support, particularly in prevention and shelter facilities for the homeless.
Investments will also be made in reintegration, together with Vidar, by developing talents of residents through initiatives such as the Work-Learn Company (Werkleerbedrijf), the Talent Academy, and the Neighbourhood Learning Company (Wijkleerbedrijf). They believe that there will always be opportunities for those who recognise talents.
The recovery plan for De Domijnen will be continued, and an amount of €250,000 will be allocated for research into the redevelopment of the Toon Hermans Theatre. This will strengthen the cultural infrastructure. To better represent the interests of Sittard-Geleen, more structural efforts will be made in Public Affairs and lobbying at the Province, various ministries, and the House of Representatives.
Green and roads
In public spaces, investments will be made to guarantee a safe access of the new Absbroek neighbourhood and the maintenance of green spaces and roads. Investments will be made in traffic safety for all road users. Due to increasing traffic on the roads, including recreational traffic such as cyclists and pedestrians and hikers in the city’s outskirts, adjustments are needed. The Plenkhoes in Geleen-Zuid will be prepared for a sustainable future.
Four million euros have been reserved to create a new future-proof community facility. Finally, an amount of €500,000 is being allocated for the development strategy for the Sittard-Central railway station area.
Avoiding the so-called abyss year
"These are turbulent times, but with this budget, we have managed to avoid the abyss year, and the financial status of Sittard-Geleen is once again in order, although we must remain vigilant about developments at the national level," says Judith Bühler, Member of the Municipal Chief Executive for Finance. "We have critically examined our budget to allocate as much money as possible to the community. Both in daily work and in major tasks such as the economy, housing market, and climate. And we have succeeded in finding this space!"
Municipalities in The Netherlands are facing many challenges. High energy prices, inflation, geopolitical unrest, social discussions, and increasing tasks are also felt in Sittard-Geleen. Additionally, municipalities will receive structurally less money from the national government in the next few years to carry out tasks. Thanks to smart choices and prudent budgeting, the municipal Chief Executive can present a financially healthy budget to the city council.
In the programme budget and with the use of the annual account result, the signals from the city council to be cautious about tax increases have also been taken into account. For example, the property tax will only be indexed for inflation but not increased any further, in a continued effort to undo previous increases.
The budget for 2026 will be discussed in a preparatory committee round on October 30 and will be submitted for approval by the city council on November 12 and 13.
As an extra service, in cooperation with Buddy System Sittard-Geleen, local news is being translated for the many expats living in Sittard-Geleen and surroundings.
Als extra service worden, in samenwerking met Buddy System Sittard-Geleen, nieuwsberichten vertaald voor de vele expats in de gemeente.
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