La Oliva approves €49 million budget, delayed further this year

The City Council of La Oliva approved on Tuesday its General Budget for the 2026 fiscal year, a set of accounts that arrived later than usual for the northern municipality and especially later than the 2025 accounts, which were approved in November of the previous year.

The council highlighted that this is the “most ambitious budget in its history,” raising the total to €49 million, €12 million more than the €37 million with which the current mandate began and €7 million above the previous budget.

The increase is partly explained by the forecast of extra revenues that the municipality could obtain this year: the implementation of the waste tax—mandatory by law for all municipalities in Spain—and a new tourist tax, still pending approval.

According to the official note released after the plenary, the approved budget “reflects the priorities set by citizens from the start of the legislature: security, cleaning and housing, while consolidating the structural strengthening of the City Council and the progressive improvement of all its areas.”

The budget was passed with 14 votes in favor—13 from the governing coalition (CC and PSOE) and one from Oliver González (NC). The opposition voted against (6 votes): four from the PP (whose amendments were rejected) and two from En Marcha.

“Going from €42 million to more than €49 million demonstrates responsible and effective economic management,” said Juan José Rodríguez, Councilor of Economy and Finance.

€25 Million More from European Funds

In addition to the €49 million General Budget, the municipality will receive €25 million in European funds and external financing, to be executed throughout 2026 and in subsequent years. This will “significantly expand the municipality’s investment capacity and allow the development of strategic projects in various areas,” the note added.

Security: More Officers, Better Structure and Greater Operational Capacity

The council also highlighted a substantial advance in the Security and Emergencies area. In May 2023, at the start of the mandate, the Local Police had 31 officers. After recruitment and reinforcement processes driven by the governing coalition, the municipality now has 50 active officers, an increase of more than 50 % during the legislature.

Beyond the increase in numbers, the command structure and operational capacity have been reinforced, with improved material means, technical resources, and internal organization. The goal is to continue growing progressively toward the standards required by a municipality with La Oliva’s resident population and tourist pressure.

Tripling Cleaning Staff and Frequency

A new cleaning contract will take effect in 2026, described as an “unprecedented structural change” and “one of the most important milestones of the mandate.” The previous contract covered 39 workers, a waste‑collection frequency of three times per week, and was deemed insufficient for the municipality’s current reality.

Key changes under the new contract:

• Staff: from 39 to 131 workers, more than tripling the workforce.
• Collection frequency: from 3 to 6 days per week, establishing daily collection in hubs such as Corralejo and El Cotillo.
• Beach maintenance: 6 dedicated workers for cleaning and upkeep of the beaches.
• Contract value: an estimated €57 million over the next 10 years, guaranteeing stability, planning, and continuous service improvement.

Housing and European Funds: Completion and Projection

In the housing sector, the 2026 budget will allow the completion of rehabilitation actions financed with European funds, consolidating work started in previous years. The incorporation of the €25 million external financing also enables the planning of new strategic interventions in the social, urban, and infrastructure realms, reinforcing cohesion and balanced development across the municipality.

Transversal Reinforcement: Investment in All Municipal Areas

The 2026 budget does not limit itself to priority services; it strengthens all municipal departments. While the council did not quantify each increase, it indicated that this year sees higher allocations for:

• Social Services
• Culture
• Sports
• Urban Planning and Public Works
• Environment
• Education
• Tourism
• Citizen Participation

These enhancements are accompanied by an overall improvement in the municipal staff structure, aimed at streamlining administration and better serving citizens.

“A Legislature of Serious Work and Planning”

Mayor Isaí Blanco declared that “this budget is the reflection of a legislature of serious work and planning. We have consolidated essential services, strengthened security with more officers, transformed municipal cleaning, and reinforced every area of the City Council. Today La Oliva has a solid foundation to continue growing with stability and responsibility.”

Councilor of Economy and Finance Juan José Rodríguez added: “Moving from €42 million to more than €49 million demonstrates responsible and effective economic management. On top of that, the additional €25 million in external funds expands our investment capacity. This budget turns citizens’ priorities into budgetary realities.”

First Deputy Mayor Julio Santana said: “This document consolidates the work carried out since 2023. We are not talking about promises; we are talking about more police on the streets, more staff cleaning our towns and beaches, and more investment in social services, culture, and sport. La Oliva is now a stronger municipality, ready for the future.”

Rejected PP Amendments

The main opposition party, the People’s Party (PP), presented 15 amendments to the budget, which were rejected by the governing coalition. The PP claimed the amendments amounted to €2 million and aimed to improve municipal accounts and respond to the municipality’s needs.

Proposed PP measures included:

• Heritage protection: interventions at the Ermita de Puerto Escondido and Casa Mané to preserve and valorize cultural assets.
• Support for the third sector: direct aid to local NGOs such as the Association Against Metastatic Breast Cancer of Fuerteventura, ASOMASAMEN, ADIVIA La Oliva Municipio para Todos, and ADERIS.
• Entrepreneurship incentives: creation of a “Cheque Emprendedor” grant to support new business projects.
• Infrastructure projects: a public square in Parque Holandés and a paving plan to improve public spaces.
• Accessibility: a subsidy line to adapt taxi vehicles for people with reduced mobility.
• Veterinary emergency service: funding for a feasibility study to establish a 24‑hour urgent veterinary service.

The PP criticized the decision to bring the budget to an extraordinary plenary in March, arguing that the council had enough majority to approve it earlier and that the budget should have been in force from the start of the year to allow normal planning and execution of municipal policies. The party also objected to a more than 40 % increase in the festivities budget, arguing that other areas such as services, infrastructure, or social support should be prioritized.

Excluding Chapter 1 (personnel expenses), the PP noted that its amendments would modify more than 6.25 % of the municipal budget, targeting improvements in services, infrastructure, and support for the local social fabric.