Kléber Mesquida takes out “the scissors, the chainsaw, the pruning shears” to balance the Department's budget

Kléber Mesquida, this Monday morning, at the Hôtel du Département. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

While the Hérault Department has decided to cancel its traditional New Year's greetings ceremony for the population this year, it has maintained the New Year's greetings to the press. They took place this Monday, January 13, at the Hôtel du Département in Béziers. And budgetary difficulties occupied a large part of President Kléber Mesquida's remarks.

“We must always look to the year with hope and expectation.” It was with these words that the President of the Hérault Department, Kléber Mesquida, opened his wishes to the press on Monday, January 13, at the premises of the Departmental Hotel in Béziers.

However, despite this positive note, he detailed at length the budgetary difficulties facing his community. The Department ends the year in deficit, “like 29 departments in the same situation.” “And according to experts, there will be 85 by the end of 2025. We are not the only ones but we must continue our services”, summarized Kléber Mesquida.

“We are not going to borrow to subsidize”

A particularly difficult context, therefore, to consider this new year which will have to begin with the adoption of a budget, this prerequisite having been postponed by a few months in view of the national chaos. The President of the Department thus spoke of his mission of planing the budget “with scissors, chainsaw, secateurs.” He also sent a letter to the mayors of Hérault to explain the situation and the positions taken: “We are not going to borrow to subsidize.” “The concern” is that in the absence of financial aid, projects will be compromised. “The construction and public works sector is going to lay off workers and we're going to get new people on RSA. A distressing perverse effect. Where are we going? In 2 years, it could be dramatic if there are no corrective measures.”

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Options for the coming months: “If we can't present a balanced budget, the Regional Court of Auditors will take the budget and remove everything that is not mandatory with a trusteeship. I want to avoid trusteeship by taking measures that will allow us to be corrective.”

“On the Béziers ring road, the Ardide passage will be delivered at the beginning 2026”

On personal assistance (from early childhood to the elderly), which represents some 900 million euros, out of a total budget of 1.8 billion, there is of course no room for maneuver. Furthermore, the Department no longer has any tax lever to use to increase its revenue. The latter is subject to State subsidies (in connection with national VAT) included in the Finance Act. However, in 2024, between the forecasts entered and reality, the Department of Hérault has lost no less than 31 million euros. Kléber Mesquida listed the costs incurred, the figures that he seems to know by heart, he spoke in millions that are missing and re-explained the multiple reasons for this deficit.

He therefore highlighted the choices made. In summary, everything that is committed is continuing but no new operations are launched. “Concerning roadworks, on the Béziers ring road, the Ardide crossing will be delivered at the beginning of 2026. The difference in height of the Cers crossroads will remain, but later because today we are not capable of it.” The Jardins de la Méditerranée project is suspended (even if the administrative formalities continue behind the scenes). Just like the Bayssan cultural season, which will only see the signed contracts come to fruition. To be continued.

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