Valka council approves financial optimization plan, opposition votes against
The Valka municipal council has approved a financial optimization plan for 2026-2028 agreed with the Finance Ministry along with amendments to this year's budget, though four opposition members voted against it. The council chairman said the municipality is focused on raising revenue rather than sharply cutting spending.
At its August 10 meeting, the Valka municipal council approved by majority vote a financial optimization plan for 2026-2028 that had long been under negotiation with the Finance Ministry, along with amendments to this year's budget. Four opposition deputies voted against both documents.
Council chairman Vents Armands Krauklis explained that the decision follows from the cash flow plan approved in July and is largely technical. He said the municipality does not plan drastic spending cuts, since that would affect voluntary initiatives such as co-financing free school lunches and support for sports associations, which also exist in neighboring municipalities. Krauklis stressed that the priority is securing greater state funding, given rising costs tied to mandatory functions, including social services and heating.
New deputy joins the opposition
At the meeting, Evija Stālmeistere was sworn in as a new deputy, replacing Jānis Anže and Kristaps Sula, who had resigned their mandates. She voted against approving the documents, explaining that she wants to study complex financial matters more thoroughly and trusts her colleague Iveta Markova on such issues.
Criticism of the Finance Committee's work
Opposition deputies Markova and Guntis Albergs criticized the fact that Finance Committee meetings had not been convened for several months, forcing important issues to be discussed directly at council sessions. Finance and accounting department head Ilze Grandava responded that the optimization plan can only include measures already approved by council decisions, and invited deputies to submit proposals.
Budget changes
The budget amendments reduce revenue by 217,000 euros, mainly due to canceled events at the Culture Center and a decision not to purchase a speed radar for the municipal police. Krauklis explained that buying the radar currently isn't economically justified, since most traffic offenders are from Estonia and collecting fines from residents of a neighboring country remains unresolved. Meanwhile, spending on fuel and heating supplies was increased.
