INVESTMENT VOW FOR 2018
Torrevieja's coalition council is set to spend more than €19 million on important projects for the municipality
TORREVIEJA town hall will have a budget of €90.4 million for 2018 – if the coalition council wins the support of two opposition parties to approve their spending plan at an emergency council meeting to be held on Friday (December 29).
Finance councillor José Hurtado presented the figures this week - and outlined the main investments which will be made by the town hall next year.
For the first time since coming to power in the summer of 2015, the fourparty coalition is confident of passing a budget – and being able to fund projects to improve the town.
He noted that the suggestions of Sueña Torrevieja and Ciudadanos have been included – and the four councillors from these two parties have agreed their support in Friday’s vote.
Out of the €90.4 million total, more than €19 million has been set aside for investment.
The coalition’s flagship project is the take-over of the ailing public bus service, which is currently out of contract.
Sr Hurtado noted that €8 million has been earmarked ‘for vehicles for public transport’.
At the end of November councillor Javier Manzanares revealed that the council would require a fleet of 28 buses to operate the service but said there were ‘different ways’ of purchasing the vehicles.
Sr Hurtado explained that money would also be available for important schemes in the town centre.
A total of €730,000 has been set aside to draw up plans for the remodelling of the Paseo de la Libertad where the hippy market stands; the historic Eras de la Sal theatre; new parks and gardens; and new street lighting.
The councillor explained that cash has also been earmarked for the work on these projects - €750,000 for Paseo de la Libertad; €650,000 for the Eras de la Sal; €1.3 million for new parks; €1.2 million for street lighting; and €1 million for sports facilities.
At the same time, Sr Hur- tado said the council was not intending to borrow any more money and that the public debt would stand at €17.46 million at the end of this year – the lowest figure in decades.
“We are cleaning up the municipal accounts,” he assured.