Orihuela Leaves €91 Million Unspent as Investment Projects Stall
City hall spent less than a fifth of its planned investment budget in 2025, despite closing the year with a €14.7 million surplus. Orihuela City Council spent just 57.39% of its final 2025 budget, leaving €91.4 million unspent, according to its general accounts. The figures raise questions about the authority’s ability to turn approved spending […] The post Orihuela Leaves €91 Million Unspent as…
Orihuela City Council spent only 57.39% of its 2025 budget, leaving €91.4 million unspent, according to its general accounts. The council had €214.5 million available, but recognized spending obligations of €123 million by the end of the year, with €57.6 million remaining unspent. Investment projects, comprising €71.6 million of the budget, saw a mere 19.4% execution, with €57.6 million unspent.
The council's financial oversight report highlights under-execution, particularly in investments, and low implementation rates of budget amendments. Of the 47.37% of municipal services surveyed, 73.7% were executed by Social Services and Social Promotion, while industry and energy, and housing and urban planning each reached only 25%.
The oversight office has urged departments to exercise better control over projects. Despite a €14.7 million surplus, the council's financial position underscores the gap between planned expenditure and services delivered to residents. Revenue sources included €16.5 million from waste collection charges, €22.2 million in total fees, and €25 million in property tax, though these fell short of forecasts.
The oversight report recommends reviewing tax ordinances and filling staff vacancies, as almost 45% of staff are working under temporary appointments.
Written by urgent.news from The Leader's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
