The Mayor of Lahti will cook new delegates about financial management: schools also have to be cut
Lahti Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen believes that new decision -makers selected in the spring should find both the necessary savings and a lunch for new investments.
The city has reduced operating expenses by EUR 24 million last year, but at the same time tax revenue and government subsidies have also fallen by more than EUR 30 million.
The success of economic balancing is based on the growth of the economy. For example, Fazer’s new chocolate factory had already been calculated to improve the Lahti economy by several million euros, but the company has not yet made an investment decision.
So you have to continue to cut expenses.
– This means that we may have the biggest and most painful savings in the service network ahead.
Many million in schools and kindergartens
Savings are largely about teaching and early childhood education, as they consist of the majority of the city’s use of money. For example, Kyynäräinen does not take a direct stance on the need for the closure of the Nastola Church Village, which has become a political controversy this spring.
– I would advise decision -makers to understand that when civilization has a savings target of several million euros, it will inevitably be in the event that the service network will also be addressed. As a result, we strive to make the most appropriate decisions with good preparation.
According to him, there are other items to be weighed in the service network. For example, the Mukkula multifunctional house will be built, but plans will be shaped before the investment decision.
Lahti Mayor Niko Kyynäräinen points out that as the purse cords are tightened, the city must find ways to make investments.
He estimates that they will be partially implemented with private investors, but that ways will be defined with new delegates.
Deficit result from 2024
The expenditure of the city of Lahti exceeded the income by 2024 by about EUR 10 million. Although the result was in deficit, it was better than expected.
The operating costs were lower than expected, and the city received more return and tax revenue than expected. Among other things, the city postponed investment. The slowdown in prices also reduced money spending.
The difference to 2023 was great, with a result at that time with a plus of more than EUR 40 million. Lahti will try to save EUR 50 million in the next few years.