Investing in a better city - The Hague Municipal Budget 2020

The Municipality of The Hague presented a balanced and robust Budget for 2020-2023. The municipal draws up an annual budget plan to account for its expenditure. Despite tough financial challenges, the municipality is investing in making the city sustainable, safe and liveable. At the same time, municipal taxes are kept low compared to other big cities.

Investments

The municipality has plans to invest in the following:

• Greener and healthier outdoor spaces
• Accessibility, liveability and traffic-safety in the city
• More (affordable) homes and facilities
• Better criteria on quality and sustainability to maintain a good quality of life
• More personnel to monitor safety and liveability in the city
• More resources to help with debt management, provision for the less privileged, and social relief
• Better accessibility for people with disabilities
• Refurbishing outdoor spaces in Nieuw Waldeck, Houtwijk and Mariahoeve
• More personnel for the Bibob Office within the municipality, who are responsible for checking permits.

Increase in local charges

There will be an increase in some municipal taxes to help manage the financial challenges:

• the dog tax remains after 2021
• cost of parking will increase with:
  • more areas with paid parking
  • more expensive parking permits for 3rd and subsequent vehicles
• increase in tourist tax
• increase in property tax (OZB) with effect from this year (2020).

The Hague maintains good financial position

With this budget, the municipality chose to focus on stability. The financial burden of the municipality is structurally manageable and the municipality has relatively low debts. Sound financial policies ensure that The Hague maintains its good financial position.

Find out more about Budget 2020 (in Dutch) at the Municipality of The Hague website.