A total of €117 million will be the budget given by the state to the new municipalities as was agreed during a debate in Parliament, the interior ministry said on Sunday.
It made the announcement after a report in Haravgi newspaper referring to violations of the financial and administrative autonomy of the municipalities that were created earlier this year following the implementation of local government reform.
The figure was also agreed on by the union of municipalities.
However, the ministry said it has received several requests from the municipalities for further funding.
All budgets for the second half of 2024 have been approved while a circular has already been sent out for preparation of the 2025 budgets.
In terms of funding the increased responsibilities of the new organisations, the ministry said €3 million has been budgeted for maintenance of the primary road network. However there is ongoing debate with the department of public works to revise this amount to meet additional needs.
It clarified that the municipalities themselves are able to appoint any new staff required without the permission of the ministry but the total pay roll cannot exceed 40 per cent of its total budget.
In relation to the establishment of a municipal police, it said the ministry has not committed to submitting regulations for the relevant legislation. A bill that covers the creation of such forces has been sent to the justice ministry.
