The cities are just starting to do their math. Between the revenue losses and the expenses generated by the coronavirus, the financial impact of the health crisis promises to be heavy. Some municipalities will likely be forced to review their priorities when the budget is voted on, which must take place on July 31 at the latest.
In Cormeilles-en-Parisis, the Covid-19 epidemic and containment have already been quantified. “From March 1 to April 30, we have a negative balance of 375,000 euros,” announces Mayor (LR) Yannick Boëdec. While some expenses such as plays or the cartoon festival have been reduced with the ban on gatherings, others related to protective equipment (masks, gels) and mutual aid (bringing meals to homes, etc. .) appeared.
“And there are especially less revenue,” continues the city councilor. All services such as school restaurants, leisure centers associated with the school (Clae) or leisure centers. Someone will retort that we no longer pay for meals, but the bulk of the expenses are salaries. And since there is no partial unemployment in the public service … For the moment, we have managed to absorb this negative balance thanks to our surplus but at this rate we will not hold out for more than six months. “
“We will have to anticipate a significant drop in revenue”
The Val Parisis agglomeration, of which he is president, is not spared either. “The loss is around 600,000 euros,” says Yannick Boëdec. The economic situation of the communities will not be simple. In the agglomeration, we will have to anticipate a significant drop in revenue which largely results from the economic tax. Companies have suffered a lot during this crisis… ”
In Beaumont-sur-Oise, the mayor (UDI) Nathalie Groux wonders. “The budgetary question is a real source of concern”, confides the elected official, who has many questions about the future. The city usually receives, for example, financial support of 300,000 euros from the family allowance fund (CAF) as part of its childhood and youth contract.
However, because of the health crisis, certain services included in this contract cannot be provided to the population. “The only expense we no longer have is the canteen,” explains Nathalie Groux. For the rest, we have maintained the salaries of our youth leaders even if they could not run the leisure centers. The expenses are still there, but will we receive the same CAF aid tomorrow? We risk having a hole in our budget. “
Fall in transfer taxes
In smaller municipalities, the bill may also weigh heavily. In Bruyères-sur-Oise, the mayor (SE) Alain Garbe recently indicated that he had already spent more than 28,000 euros just on masks and hygiene products.
In Soisy-sous-Montmorency, the cost of the health crisis is estimated at 1 million euros. “We have an additional cost, but above all a shortfall,” blows the mayor (LR), Luc Strehaiano. The town’s direct expenditure is approaching 150,000 euros, dedicated in particular to the purchase of 42,000 masks (126,105 euros), hydroalcoholic gel (5,500 euros) or even plexiglass (2,628 euros).
