The full council meeting of Estepona Town Council today gave the green light to the initial approval of the 2026 municipal Budget, which reaches 132 million euros and presents a record high in investment and a strong social character, after consolidating the biggest tax cut ever made in the city.

The mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano, explained that it is “a historic budget, where -for the first time- there is no longer any need to deal with the more than 300 million euros of inherited debt, and which makes it possible to better face the city’s future”.

The mayor pointed out that “a new economic era is opening in the management of public resources” in which the major efforts of tens of millions of euros that were allocated each year to paying off that inherited debt are no longer needed for that purpose and “will be used for what matters most: continuing to improve the city, with more investment and better services for everyone, paying special attention to the maintenance of public spaces; as well as contributing to the social wellbeing of residents”.

“2026 will be an important year because we will remain very close to full employment with very positive economic data. The Town Council has done what others say but few do, which is to cut taxes, and that happens after paying off a significant debt”, he added.

García Urbano wanted to congratulate the municipal economic team for “the work they have been doing and which has allowed us in these years to pay off debt, while at the same time providing the city with important public facilities”.

The municipal budget maintains in all its figures the criteria of prudence, credibility and responsibility, and complies with the regulations that apply to it. Regarding the major investment effort, the increase of almost 60% in this item should be highlighted, where actions worth more than 27 million euros are planned.

Thus, items are included to continue the work that will extend the great pedestrian boulevard created next to the Mediterranean to merge it with the remodelled town centre; to complete the car park costing residents 1 euro/day around the Carmen church; to complete the link-up of the entire coastal corridor; to create a river path along the Guadalmina river or to build new sports facilities, such as the construction of a velodrome and football and rugby facilities in the north of the city. The budget also provides for reinforcement of maintenance and upkeep services across the whole city, with special attention to the outskirts, a plan to improve public lighting, a new road resurfacing plan and a plan to remodel playgrounds and green areas, among other actions.

In the investment section, the budget also includes the improvement of public facilities, the renovation of the Parque Ferial y Deportivo and the upkeep and purchase of materials for beaches and gardens; as well as the maintenance of schools and nursery schools, with a major action to install climate control in centres that do not yet have such equipment in their classrooms.

In addition, public safety is strengthened with the comprehensive renovation of the Local Police Headquarters and its gym; as well as with the provision of vehicles for police officers and Civil Protection members and the installation of security cameras in the city.

Regarding personnel expenditure, funds are also planned to continue holding new public job calls for local police officers, as well as for administrative staff.

In the cultural sphere, the municipal budget continues to allocate significant sums. Specifically, for the equipment and collections of the Mirador del Carmen Cultural Centre, as it is one of the most decisive commitments to the modernisation, social transformation and cultural positioning of the city.

Resources also continue to be added to support cultural activity through initiatives such as the Ciudad de Estepona Novel and Poetry Prizes, linked to the publisher Pre-Textos. Funds are also provided to improve the Art Murals Route, to restore museums and historic heritage; as well as for the wide cultural and events programme planned for the city.

Economic boost for families

The budget contains an item of more than 6.6 million euros to, once again, apply the biggest reduction in the Property Tax (IBI) ever made in the city. The mayor pointed out that “it is one of the most powerful social actions that can be carried out by an Administration, since it allows a major economic boost in citizens’ pockets, with all the benefits that entails”.

Regarding social investment, the governing team continues to pay special attention to social needs and to collaboration with groups and charitable organisations. Thus, resources of around 10 million euros are devoted to programmes, aid and initiatives aimed at supporting citizens in situations of vulnerability.

Among other measures, the allocation for dependency care is increased, with funding of almost 5 million euros, to serve a record number of more than 800 users.

Finally, it should be noted that Estepona Town Council once again meets its obligation to submit the municipal budget for the coming financial year on time, being, once more, one of the first municipalities in Spain to complete this procedure.

In addition, the full council meeting gave the green light to the initial approval of two by-laws: the By-law Regulating the Circulation and Use of Personal Mobility Vehicles; and the By-law Regulating the non-tax public property payment for the Vehicle Removal, Transfer and Storage service in the municipality of Estepona.