No.42 Initial Budget for Fiscal Year 2015

(Inagi Newsletter published on April 15, 2015)

In the Regular Session of the City Council held in March 2015, the initial budget for the new fiscal year was approved, and we would like to inform you of the summary.
The scale of the General Fund Budget for fiscal year 2015 is 33.684 billion yen, which is a decrease of 2.564 billion yen, or 7.1%, compared to the previous year. In fiscal year 2014, approximately 2.349 billion yen was allocated for the construction of Minamiyama Elementary School, and about 443 million yen for the reconstruction of the Second Nursery School and the new construction of a nursery school in the Minami area. Excluding these one-time factors, it is effectively an increase budget of about 228 million yen.
The main construction projects for this year include the construction of Kameyama Park (the site of the relocated Second Nursery School), the new construction of the Hirao Fire Branch Office, the reconstruction of the Second Division Station, the installation of emergency water supply wells, the new construction of the management building and disaster prevention warehouse at Inagi Nagamine Sports Plaza, the reconstruction of the old building of Inagi First Elementary School and ground improvement, large-scale renovations of Inagi Second Elementary School, renovations of Inagi Seventh Elementary School, direct connection of water supply to Shiroyama Elementary School, large-scale renovations of Inagi First Junior High School, and direct connection of water supply to Inagi Fifth Junior High School, among others. The total cost of the projects listed here alone amounts to approximately 1.67 billion yen, making it a large-scale undertaking.

The city is currently facing a situation where the demand for new administrative services due to population growth coincides with the timing for updating aging facilities, and we continue to experience a strained financial situation with tight revenues and expenditures. However, we are working towards the reliable achievement of planned projects.
In terms of revenue, municipal tax income has increased by 0.5% alongside a gradual economic recovery, and due to the increase in the consumption tax rate, local consumption tax grants have risen by 66.8%. On the other hand, local allocation tax has decreased by 29.3%, but the total amount of general revenue, which forms the backbone of our income, has shown a solid increase of 2.7%.
In this budget formulation, we have particularly focused on projects aimed at achieving community development and safe and secure community goals as Inagi City continues to advance towards the next stage with a stable population and generational transition.
Regarding disaster recovery support, we will continue to dispatch staff to Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture this fiscal year.
For disaster prevention measures, in addition to facility improvements, we will revise the regional disaster prevention plan and strengthen our response to wind and flood damage as well as volcanic disasters.
In terms of parenting support, we will implement the opening of the Child and Family Support Center Hongo branch, discounts on park parking fees for parenting households, an increase in subsidies to reduce the burden on parents of children in private kindergartens, an increase in subsidies related to special support education projects in kindergartens, privatization of the After-School Childcare Program and Children's Center with improvements in services, and the full implementation of the After-School Children's Program (expanding to all schools and grades).
For elderly support, we will implement the construction of a community-based integrated care system, support for the use of the adult guardianship system, and strengthening of public assistance for reducing long-term care insurance premiums.
Moreover, securing medical resources is a crucial element for a safe and secure life. We will begin formulating the Inagi City Medical Plan aimed at the planned attraction of clinics and medical offices.
Let us work together towards a vibrant community development in Inagi. We ask for the understanding, cooperation, and participation of all citizens.