VILLENEUVE-LEZ-AVIGNON Six million euros of investment for a “better living environment”
This Thursday evening, the municipal council of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon met. On the menu: the vote on the original 2022 budget. But before starting the session, the elected officials observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to several people who have disappeared in recent days.
The mayor, Pascale Bories, remembers the memory of Rémy Ollivier, ” emblematic figure of community life and founding pillar of the Tôtout’Art association“, died at the end of February. But also that of Marilyn and Keneth Keeling, ” a duo that bloomed our lives “who died last month, and that of Geneviève Steiner, model and wife of Michel Steiner, who left on April 4 at the age of 86. The first magistrate also had words for Jean-Marie Rosier, mayor of Aramon ” appreciated and effective“, who died overnight from Sunday to Monday at the age of 71.
Several deliberations concerning the budgets then took place. Already during the budget guidelines report, the two benches of the opposition had risen up against tax rates that were too high in their eyes. Here again, Morgan Buisson (Villeneuve social, ecological and solidarity) returned to the charge, with a ready-made reply: “ What are you playing Mrs. Bories? You don’t administer a municipality like you play Monopoly. By always building more and putting as much money as possible aside. On several occasions, the opposition group has also questioned the budget surpluses achieved in 2021 by the municipality. Morgan Buisson always finds the tax rates of Villeneuvois ” exorbitant and would prefer the mayor to lower them to give ” a breath of fresh air for families coping with soaring energy prices“.
“This property tax corresponds to a service”
Pascale Bories will retort that every day, she receives ” people wishing to settle in Villeneuve whatever their level of income“. She does not see this high tax rate as a brake, on the contrary ” this property tax corresponds to a service and these people are ready to pay it“, she assures. The three municipal councilors of the Villeneuve social, ecological and solidarity group will vote against the 2022 tax rates (which will remain the same compared to 2021: 56.63% on built land and 115.63% on unbuilt land) .
The finance assistant, François Zanirato, also presented the 2022 budget, with 6 million investment. A figure up 38% compared to 2021. The elected official was reassuring about the level of indebtedness of the municipality which amounts to €557 per inhabitant, well below the average for the stratum to 846€. Part of the operation will be used to finance several key cultural festivities and events: the Villeneuve en scène festival from July 9 to 21, the Escapades, the Polar festival from November 9 to 13, etc.
More than half of investments focused on the living environment and municipal buildings
On the investment side, a large majority will go for the living environment (1,695 million euros) and buildings (1,790 million euros). In the living environment, we find the works on the Via Rhôna, on the Pujaut-Villeneuve cycle link but also the development of the city center. For the buildings, a big effort will be put on the schools with the extension of Thomas-David and Joseph-Lhermitte and the waterproofing of the roof of Thomas-David to install photovoltaics.
More than €440,000 are planned to renovate the roads, create parking spaces, and €634,600 for heritage (in particular the Arnaud de Via discount for €413,000). A budget of €470,000 has been set aside for renovation work on the annex stadium. ” In 2022, we will resolutely pursue the implementation of our commitment to embellish our living environment: a safe, dynamic city where life is good at all ages.“, concluded François Zanirato. Both opposition groups voted against the early 2022 budgets.
Mary Meunier
And also… Before starting the session, Pascale Bories gave an update on the actions of the City towards the Ukrainians. ” A collection of basic necessities has been organised. 150 packages including medicines, hygiene products, baby products and even blankets were able to be sent to areas in need in mid-March thanks to the logistical assistance of the SDIS 30“, she says. Collection continues every Saturday morning at the Les Cigales leisure center in Rochefort-du-Gard, overseen by SIDSCAVAR. Today, 27 Ukrainians are housed in Villeneuve, including 14 children. The La Courte Scale association gives literacy classes. The City has also ordered several books in Russian from the media library.