Manacor approves a budget of 54 million, half of which is earmarked for personnel expenses, leaving no room for investment.

PalmThe Manacor City Council approved the municipal budget for 2026 this Thursday in an extraordinary plenary session. The budget totals just over 54 million euros, representing a 7% increase compared to last year. According to the municipal government (Més-Esquerra, PSOE, AIPC), direct taxes constitute the main source of funding, amounting to 22.34 million euros, primarily derived from the urban property tax (IBI), vehicle tax, and business activity tax. A notable increase in this category stems from the property tax update approved last September. Fees, public prices, and other income total 13.18 million euros, with a significant contribution from services related to waste management, sewage, building permits, public space occupancy, and administrative fines.

Current transfers from other administrations total €16.22 million, including the share of state taxes, the Regional Cooperation Fund, and contributions allocated to community social services and equality policies. Property income amounts to €1.06 million, primarily derived from interest on deposits and the operation of municipal services and concessions.

The Finance Delegate, Paula Asegurado, maintains that this budget guarantees the financial stability of the council and allows it to continue promoting essential public services, social policies, and strategic initiatives in the municipality.

Expenditure

Personnel costs reach approximately €26 million, a figure that includes the salary increase approved by the central government. In this regard, Asegurado emphasized that "behind every public service are workers who make it possible." The Basic Public Services area accounts for the second largest expenditure item, with €24.42 million, allocated to cleaning, waste management, maintenance of streets, parks and gardens, public lighting, citizen security, and environmental protection. Of particular note are the more than €9.3 million allocated to waste collection and treatment and €7.47 million for security and public order. Social protection and promotion policies have a total budget of €4.55 million, with more than €3 million earmarked for primary social assistance. The area of priority public goods production, with €9.48 million, includes policies for Education, Culture, Equality, Sports, and Youth. Notable allocations include Early Childhood and Primary Education, with almost €2.85 million, as well as support for the municipal cultural network: libraries, museums, music school, theater, cultural promotion, and language normalization. Economic initiatives total €4.11 million, earmarked for local commerce, tourism, energy, infrastructure, and local development. Finally, the area of General Initiatives has €11.36 million, which ensures the ordinary functioning of the City Council, administrative management, citizen participation, and the preservation of municipal heritage. Little room for investment

"Municipal spending is increasingly constrained each year by existing contracts and personnel costs, a reality that reduces the scope for new investments," explain sources at City Hall. However, the 2026 budget allows for strengthening essential contracts such as the one for the municipal nursery for children aged 0 to 3, transportation for the day center, and includes provisions for tendering a new contract for funeral services. Allocations to public safety (signage, equipment, and vehicles), social services, culture, and street maintenance are also increased. The budget also includes allocations for project management for projects awarded during 2025 and for projects that will begin at the start of the year, thus ensuring the continuity of municipal initiatives. Finally, these accounts now incorporate the allocations for the Sports Department, following the recent dissolution of the Municipal Sports Board, which is now fully integrated into the City Council's regular budget structure. Although the 2026 budget was approved without a tax increase, the governing team warns that the sustained rise in the cost of municipal services and contracts may necessitate a review of revenue projections in subsequent years. In this regard, Mayor Miquel Oliver asked the opposition to "participate in this discussion" regarding the 2027 budget, with the aim of ensuring the maintenance of essential services and municipal responsibilities. The governing team emphasizes that the 2026 budget "is realistic, socially committed, and financially responsible, and allows us to ensure the operation of essential public services, strengthen social policies, and move towards a more sustainable, cohesive municipality capable of responding to the needs of its citizens."