Across the province, many municipalities struggle to begin the year with approved budgets. The recent years have shown a mix of causes, but two clear factors stand out for why half of the largest towns have yet to update their accounts. First, mayors often cite inflation as a reason for imbalance in the figures, arguing that rising prices complicate the preparation of budget items. Second, the proximity of municipal elections prompts some consortia to pause formal approvals while awaiting the final composition of new governing bodies.
Touring the province reveals a stark picture at the main town halls when it comes to updating municipal accounts. Councils that have completed their obligation to revise budgets include Elche, Santa Pola, Crevillent, Villena, Novelda, Petrer, Altea, Calp, San Vicente del Raspeig, and Sant Joan d’Alacant. On the other side, towns such as Alicante, Xixona, El Campello, Benidorm, Vila Joiosa, l’Alfàs del Pi, Elda, Aspe, Alcoy, Ibi, Torrevieja, and Orihuela continue to finalize their budgets for the year. Local administrations across political lines face delays for various reasons.
Legislation sets expectations for timely approvals, though the rules can feel restrictive at times. When a council fails to approve accounts for a year for certain reasons, a first extension may be granted. After that, the law warns against extending budgets beyond a single fiscal year because of negative effects on municipal administration and on ongoing projects.
Despite these rules, towns such as Torrevieja have found it increasingly common to extend budget cycles and implement large loan amendments. In Orihuela, the situation is shaped by a no-confidence motion that propelled the PSOE to the mayoralty, underscoring how complex approving new accounts has become. In many cases, authorities concede that it may be necessary to wait until after the municipal elections to proceed.
Wishes
In Alicante, the effort by mayor Luis Barcala to complete budgets within his term has faced serious hurdles. Energy costs and the general inflationary climate demand precise adjustments, and since 2015 the City Council has struggled to meet the deadline for calculations, regardless of party alignment. The proof that political colors do not shield towns from friction lies in examples like Benidorm and Alcoy. The leaders in these cities offer different perspectives but share the same challenge: navigating a difficult economic moment with rising energy and water costs.
The tourism hub Benidorm, led by Toni Pérez, explains a cautious stance. He notes that the current climate is uncertain with mixed forecasts, and that price pressures necessitated adjustments to understand responsibilities. The goal remains clear: update the accounts within January, even as conditions complicate the process. The approach has been to prioritize updating while balancing the needs of residents and broader municipal projects.
Alcoy presents a parallel view. Mayor Toni Frances points to the budget’s complexity tied to energy costs. The method chosen is to wait for liquidation figures to set items at their maximum. The ambition is to have accounts approved by February, the traditional milestone, as Frances reminds. In practice, smaller municipalities also show a growing sense of cohesion as they align local budgets with available resources and community priorities.
Within this pattern, towns such as Adsubia, Agost, Alcosser, Almudaina, Beneixama, Benifato, Benimarfull, Campo de Mirra, Cañada, Confrides, Fageca, Millena, Muro, Novelda, Polop, Sagra, Vall d’Ebo, and Vall de Gallinera illustrate a shared trajectory. They demonstrate that despite political differences, many communities are working to synchronize fiscal plans with the realities of governance in a challenging year.
Overall, the budget process remains a barometer of how municipalities respond to rising costs, changing populations, and the demands of residents. The path to timely approval hinges on practical adjustments, transparent communication, and a clear sense of our shared responsibilities to local services and development projects. At a moment when the stakes are high, the conversations around these budgets highlight the resilience and adaptability of Alicante’s towns and cities.
In this landscape, the ongoing debate about how best to balance immediate needs with long-term investments continues to shape the administrative tempo. While some councils press forward with confidence, others proceed with caution, mindful that the next few weeks will test their ability to deliver approved accounts that reflect current conditions and future plans.