Desenzano Budget 2001: Public Works, Revenue Goals, and Strategic Spending

Over 13 billion and 600 million lira of Ici will enter the municipal coffers in 2001: this is one of the forecasts by the Anelli Administration, contained in the forecast budget that, as previewed in yesterday’s edition, was approved in the assembly with the full support of the majority and the opposition of the center-left parties and the Lega Nord.

Revenues and expenditure distribution

In total, tax revenues amount to approximately 23 billion lire, while non-tax revenues reach 16 billion. In his detailed statement, the budget assessor, Mario Marchioni, clarified that 29% of current expenses will fund general management costs of the Municipality, including support services to the secretary’s office, the remaining offices, and the Ced.

4% will be allocated to Police urban expenses, 13% to the educational sector, 5% to culture, sports, and tourism. As for the investments planned for the next year, they will be financed through disposals and transfers totaling about 17.5 billion. Over 12.5 billion will instead need to be funded through credits for public works projects.

Interventions and public works

“This is certainly a substantial amount, which,” Marchioni said, “is within the Municipality’s borrowing capacity limits. Programs include the sewer network and the redevelopment of via Venezia, the new aqueduct at Tassinara, affordable housing projects in Barbelena, completion of works on via Unità d’Italia in San Martino, and the expansion of sports facilities.

In addition to projects along Desenzano’s and Rivoltella’s lakeshores, notable initiatives include the Park of the Swimming Pools and a large green area in Cremasca near the new residential developments, along with a new nursery school. “The margins for financial maneuvering granted by the State to the Municipalities are now minimal, so the decisions to be made to prevent the economic collapse of an entity are almost mandatory: seeking a rationalization of services and exploring alternative revenues, while minimizing pressure on residents as much as possible.”

Objectives and strategic decisions

Among the Administration’s goals are strengthening public services, reducing non-essential expenses, exploring new self-financing sources (such as new paid parking areas), and enhancing services related to citizen safety (with new traffic wardens, spy cameras). Regarding the new paid parking areas, it was announced that the Maratona area, currently free, will definitely be subject to billing, along with other currently free parking zones.

Reviewing the budget, the assessor pointed out that “the Municipality of Desenzano has established many services that are not offered elsewhere, such as three social centers, two nurseries, the mediathèque and civic network, widespread urban transportation, the youth gathering center, and significant implementation of affordable housing and social welfare interventions.” The opposition, as mentioned, voted against this budget because, according to Alberto Abbadini and Giancarlo Menegato, “some revenue entries are listed that will be difficult to acquire, such as the paid parking, whose locations are not even known.”

There was also a ‘no’ to the increase of the Irpef surcharge, and criticism was directed at the lakefront allocations, which have “been significantly increased compared to initial forecasts.” Among the interventions highlighted was that of Maria Stella Gelmini (Fi), who dismissed the accusations of laxity by the Administration towards Rivoltella (a particularly contentious issue for the Anelli Administration).

“We want the revitalization of Rivoltella, and so far we have demonstrated this with actions.” After reviewing numerous interventions in the district, Gelmini outlined other projects that will be carried out across the entire territory, from the large Park of the Swimming Pools to the new “Silver Card” for seniors.