Title: Järfälla Municipality Prioritizes Welfare and Raises Taxes in Budget 2024
Subtitle: Cooperation with Left Party Ensures Protection of Children and Young People
Järfälla Municipality has released its Objectives and budget for 2024-2026, emphasizing the importance of staff welfare in the success of its operations. To meet increased wages and other cost escalations, a 3.25 percent increase has been proposed for all businesses.
Eva Ullberg, chairman of the municipal board in Järfälla, emphasized the long-term responsibility for the economy and the ongoing fight against social problems. Ullberg stated, “It will be twelve tough months, but through clear priorities, we protect welfare, security, equality, and sustainable social development.”
The economic situation in Järfälla is strained, in line with the rest of the municipal sector, while major societal challenges need to be addressed. Economic uncertainty and sensitivity are particularly significant in growth municipalities like Järfälla. Planned housing projects have been paused, impacting income from land sales, and the municipality incurs substantial costs for community property and infrastructure expansion.
Following the example set by the city of Stockholm, Järfälla Municipal Council has also decided on a tax increase. The municipal tax will be raised by 25 öre per earned hundred to manage a balanced budget. Insufficient government subsidies have led to concerns about a potential welfare crisis. Ullberg expressed disappointment, stating, “Unfortunately, we have a government that chooses not to provide the necessary resources to protect students in the classrooms, people in need of care, children’s leisure activities, and the social services’ security work.”
The budget for 2024 includes several priorities aimed at strengthening social services and community-wide security, breaking segregation, compensating for increased costs in education and elderly care, and attracting more people to work. The municipality also intends to allocate additional resources to the municipal board administration for a cohesive and long-term work plan related to the green transition based on the environmental plan.
Aphram Melki, municipal councilor with responsibility for environment, integration, and safety, highlighted the budget’s focus on important integration and environmental work. Melki emphasized the need to include people and protect safety, stating, “To protect integration is to protect safety.”
In a continuation of last year’s collaboration, the Social Democrats and the Center are once again cooperating with the Left Party in preparing the 2024 budget. Therese Johansson, municipal councilor for the Left Party Järfälla, emphasized the budget’s commitment to shielding children and young people from the government’s austerity policies. Johansson stated, “We ensure resources for vital activities such as schools, culture, and leisure. We protect meeting places and gradually introduce school breakfasts to support our children’s well-being.”
With the proposed budgetary measures and cooperation across political parties, Järfälla Municipality aims to safeguard welfare activities and offer an inclusive environment for its residents while addressing pressing challenges in the coming year.