Currently, the next year's budget project is being prepared at the administrative level. All city departments and institutions have submitted their budget applications to the financial service.
The current city government will not politically discuss next year's budget. This will be done by the new city council and government formed after the elections.
Usually, political discussions on the city budget start in September. However, it's different in an election year. Currently, an administrative budget project is being prepared, which the new city government can rely on when setting its political priorities.
Tallinn's financial situation is strong, and the budget surplus is growing. This shows that the labor market is stable and taxpayers are coming to the city. Additionally, nearly 10 million euros have been saved over the past year and a half, which was directed to the needs of the education sector.
The city's priorities for next year are education and public transport. Plans include supporting the transition to Estonian-language education, investing in new schools and kindergartens, and ensuring the availability of school and kindergarten places close to home. For the development of public transport, there are plans to purchase new trolleys, trams, and buses, as well as to build two new tram lines.
The implementation of public transport investments depends on the election results. The Center Party has promised to halt public transport investments.
The city budget is expected to be adopted by December. About 70 percent of the city budget is apolitical, including, for example, cost indexing and increases.
According to Mihhail Kõlvart, chairman of the Center Party, Tallinn's financial situation is not in good shape. The city has taken loans to cover current expenses, and the loan burden has grown. Kõlvart believes that major investments can only be made with a clear budget strategy. The Center Party's priority is to put the city's financial affairs in order.