"The desires and ambitions, of course, are significantly greater, but this is the reality,” Blagoevgrad Mayor Kostadin Paskalev commented on the draft for the Municipality budget for 2009. The document was ready Monday, February 16. Paskalev said the budget reflects tightening of financial discipline, crucial in the face of the global economic crisis.

Blagoevgrad will have a total of 26.4 million leva for state activities and 25.3 million leva for local activities, which is a rise in revenue of 7.4% and 15.8% respectively compared to last year. Capital expenditure, that is, spending on long-term assets, will amount to about 32 million leva.  

In 2009, the Year of the Child, 37% of the budget will go to education. The renovation of schools and kindergartens will continue, along with the improvement of social services.

The municipality submitted project proposals and applied for funding for all welfare institutions, including the homes for children with disabilities, for children deprived of parental care, and for the elderly. By the end of 2009, Blagoevgrad municipality aims to offer the full package of social services available in Bulgaria.

Another considerable source of expenditure is urban infrastructure. Besides restoring streets and sewage, Blagoevgrad will install an elevator to the area below the square, thus making the town environment more accessible to people with disabilities.

During the discussion, the chair of the local teacher syndicate supported the budget and called on the Municipal Council, which will review the draft in detail, to accept it.