The mayor of Avignon asks the government to help communities pay their energy bills
The soaring energy bill for everyone, and communities like the City of Avignon are no exception. “Over the year 2022, there will be an additional energy expenditure of three million euros, we are almost doubling”, warns the PS mayor of Avignon, Cécile Helle. And to meet this unforeseen expense, it directly appeals to the government. “Communities could not get out of it”she says.
“A mayor, unlike the state, must have a balanced budgetrecalls Cécile Helle. So it is absolutely necessary that the State hear our call for help, otherwise it means that the mayors will have to make choices about their investments, or postpone their projects in time. She asks that a aid to communities is included in the state budget for 2023. “The government is helping individuals and businesses, but it also needs to help communities”she continues.
No tax hike, promises the mayor
The mayor of Avignon also points to the increase in his budget linked to the increase in the index point for civil servants, amounting to an additional two million euros on the City’s 2022 budget. But Cécile Helle promises that she will not offset these increases with tax increases.