The National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NAMRB) has reached full consensus on all issues regarding the budget for Bulgarian municipalities, said Daniel Panov, Chair of the Management Board of the NAMRB and Mayor of Veliko Tarnovo. He took part in the 38th General Assembly of the NAMRB in Sofia on Wednesday.
Panov pointed out that there have been major disputes over the investment programme, especially regarding the funds that must be paid out for projects that municipalities have worked on in 2024. He indicated that by February 2025, the funds that the Finance Ministry must pay out are BGN 524 million, and those that the association will need for 2025 for the implementation of the investment programme are BGN 1.2 billion. Panov stated that there will be a review of the investment programme and projects submitted by the municipalities in June.
He emphasized that this meeting is unique, as it brings together all the managements of the municipalities in Bulgaria. "We are here together, regardless of the size of the municipality, the location and the political affiliation of the mayor of the municipality," he said, adding NAMRB has proven that local governments are the backbone of the state. The Chair of the Association also stressed that in recent years they have had to work without interruption in the conditions of unadopted budgets, natural and health disasters, as well as an unstable government.
Panov pointed out that every year the delegates of NAMRB report on the work done, and for the last year there have been over 90 opinions, about 50 amendments to bills, as well as training of municipalities and experts from municipalities in various fields. According to him, one of the most important problems in Bulgaria at the moment is water scarcity. He said that nearly 500 settlements are on water regimes in Bulgaria, and according to him, over the past four years the governments have not taken any measures on this vital issue. Panov noted that by Friday all municipalities must submit to the Regional Development and Public Works Ministry finished projects in relation to water scarcity in their settlements.
He also indicated that the household waste fee has been postponed for one year, and a new fee should be introduced in 2026. He also commented on Bulgaria's upcoming entry into the eurozone, indicating that a number of regulations are forthcoming that need to be changed so that there is no stress for citizens of the various municipalities.
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