site.btaSofia Mayor Proposes Municipal Budget Update

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev expects the municipal councillors to support a budget update that will direct additional funds to the most important projects for Sofia in education, water supply, health and culture, the municipal press centre said on Tuesday.

The Municipality would save nearly BGN 40 million from the capital programme through a budget update, as funds risk to remain unused until the end of 2025 due to delays or obstacles to certain projects, the press centre stressed, adding that these funds can be redirected to priority and ready-to-implement projects that bring direct benefits to people.

"With this update, we are not just absorbing funds, but redistributing them and investing them where they would provide the greatest added value for residents. Responsible management means that every penny works for the city," Mayor Terziev emphasized. He noted that part of the updated budget will accelerate the construction and expansion of 28 kindergartens and 11 schools in the capital.

Significant resources will also be directed to seven key water supply projects, including the construction of a reversible connection between the Beli Iskar and Iskar reservoir through the Malobuchinsky water pipeline. Among the priorities is the urgent repair of the First City Hospital, which will ensure safe conditions and normal medical care for patients, the municipal press centre noted.

In the field of culture, the update will provide funds for finishing works for the mineral bath in Ovcha Kupel district, as well as the Sofia Theatre. Another part of the resource will be directed to urgent and advanced infrastructure projects, the completion of which is of key importance for the sustainable development of the city.

The municipal administration stated that the funds from the increase in the tourist tax will be directed entirely to the development of Sofia as a tourist destination through support for cultural, infrastructure and marketing initiatives that build a sustainable and recognizable image of the city.

Sofia Municipality called on municipal councillors to support the update as a necessary step to ensure the implementation of the city's priorities.