Working Together to Ensure a Financially Sound Municipality

2027 Program Budget and 2028–2030 Multi-Year Forecast

The Municipal Executive of Son en Breugel today presented the 2027 program budget and the 2028–2030 multi-year forecast to the municipal council. 

This structurally balanced budget is aimed at strengthening the municipality's financial position. 

“Rising costs, uncertainty about future government funding, and increasing pressure on our services call for clear decisions,” explains Jelle de Jong (Finance), Alderman . “Because only with a sound financial foundation can we continue to carry out our statutory duties, ensure a safe living environment, and continue to support residents who need our help the most.”
Expenditures are currently still rising faster than revenues, which means that without additional measures, structural deficits will continue to grow in the coming years. The majority of this increase in expenditures is concentrated in youth care and the Social Support Act (Wmo). The funds the municipality receives from the Municipal Fund for youth care are insufficient to cover the actual costs.

Different allocation methods apply to youth services

“The current method used by the national government to allocate funds works to the detriment of our municipality, especially when it comes to youth care,” says De Jong. “Under this method, low-income households are viewed as an indicator of higher youth care costs. Relatively speaking, our municipality has few low-income households. As a result, the funding we receive for youth care is too low. Unfortunately, we remain responsible for the sometimes very high costs of specialized youth care. This is the case for several municipalities. Together with other municipalities, the municipal executive submitted a motion for alternative funding of specialized youth care during the VNG general members’ meeting on September 30, 2026. It was adopted with 97% of the votes in favor.’
During the VNG conference in the spring of 2027, the national government—through the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Interior—committed to re-examining these costs and the cost-sharing arrangement, following the advice of the Van Ark Commission. The Prime Minister indicated that joint governance tasks must also be funded by the national government “as specified in the Municipalities Act.” The Council for Public Administration is also currently advocating to the national government for a different allocation system. However, the municipality does not expect any additional funding from the national government in the near future.

Budget Cuts and Property Tax Increase 

De Jong: “To achieve a sound financial situation now and in the coming years, cuts to existing programs are necessary. In addition, we have no choice but to increase the property tax for residential and non-residential properties. In doing so, we will place greater emphasis on residents’ self-reliance and personal responsibility.”
The municipality will allocate part of the property tax increase toward strengthening its financial position and reserves. A healthy financial buffer is necessary to mitigate risks and enable future investments. 

To establish a sound financial foundation for 2027–2030, the municipality will continue to apply a number of guiding principles when making policy decisions in the coming years. These are:

1. A structurally balanced budget.
2. The basic level of services and support for residents is adequate.
3. No destruction of capital by calling into question decisions that have already been made.
4. New facts and insights may lead to a reevaluation of previous decisions.
5. Greater self-reliance and personal responsibility among residents who are capable of it.
6. Residents who benefit from a program contribute to the costs according to their ability to pay.
7. Organizations and associations generate grant revenue and seek co-funding whenever possible.
8. In area development projects, revenue must be generated to enable social development.

In the coming years, Guiding Principle No. 5 will serve as an even stronger guiding principle within the policy frameworks and their implementation in the social sector and in social services.

The city council will discuss the budget and long-term financial projections on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. The council meeting can be viewed live athttps://sonenbreugel.notubiz.nl. The related documents are available athttps://son-en-breugel.begrotingsapp.nl.