The mayor of Huelva, Pilar Miranda, alongside her deputy mayors Felipe Arias, Francisco Muñoz, and Adela de Mora, has presented the proposed Municipal Budget for 2027, which totals €217,179,508.55. This figure represents an increase of €14,340,103.01 compared to the initial budget for 2026, marking a growth of 7.07%.
The budget outlines balanced revenues and expenditures, ensuring the necessary resources for the functioning of municipal services, addressing citizens' needs, and developing new initiatives within the city. During the presentation, Miranda emphasised the increased funding allocated to areas such as social services, infrastructure, public services, culture, heritage, and sports, as well as planned improvements in road surfacing, public spaces, sports facilities, housing, and heritage recovery. She stated, "The important aspect of a budget is not just how much money is collected, but how it is organised to meet the needs of a city and its residents."
Miranda highlighted that the municipal budget is likely the most crucial tool for a city council, as it details the resources available and how they are distributed to meet citizens' needs, maintain public services, and plan activities throughout the year. She reiterated that behind every figure lies a responsibility: to provide the necessary services, support those in need, care for public spaces, maintain infrastructure, promote cultural and sports activities, and preserve the heritage that is part of Huelva's history.
Francisco Muñoz, the deputy mayor for Economy and Finance, explained that the 2027 budget includes more resources for public services, reinforcing personnel needs, maintaining the city, and continuing investment development. He noted that the personnel and current goods and services expenditures together show an increase of nearly €13 million, reflecting the importance of daily city operations in the municipal accounts. Specifically, personnel expenses will rise to €72.85 million from €68.27 million in 2026, while current expenditures for goods and services will reach €94.86 million, up from €86.46 million the previous year.
Muñoz also announced the addition of 17 new positions for the Local Police, as well as other roles aimed at strengthening various municipal services. Additionally, he mentioned that EMTUSA, the municipal transport company, will have its own budget of €13.86 million, compared to €13.03 million in 2026, with transfers of €10.27 million to support urban public transport financing.
He stressed that the budget must be analysed in terms of both investments and the resources needed to maintain services and meet economic and financial obligations. He stated, "It is not simply about spending more or less, but about spending appropriately, ensuring that resources are allocated to the intended purposes and that economic decisions are sustainable."
Muñoz concluded by revealing that the 2027 budget includes approximately €13.74 million for debt amortisation, an increase from €13.11 million in 2026, reminding that these are financial commitments that must be met as part of municipal financial planning.
Distribution by areas and key initiatives
The budget distribution by municipal areas, excluding personnel expenses, is as follows:
- Social Services, Family, Employment, Housing, Economic Development, and European Funds: €32.47 million, a 20.18% increase from 2026. This includes €27.5 million for home assistance services, up from €21.4 million last year.
- Infrastructure and Public Services: €45.42 million, an increase of €2.43 million from 2026. Planned investments include €1 million for road surfacing, €305,000 for public space improvements, €200,000 for parks and gardens, and €650,000 for lighting upgrades at Estadio Colombino.
- Urban Planning and Environment: €17.81 million, with key projects including €500,000 for the renovation of Plaza Quintero Báez, €550,000 for the urbanisation project of Avenida Italia and Parque del Ferrocarril, and €600,000 for the rehabilitation of municipal housing.
- Culture and Archaeological Heritage: €8.61 million, nearly €1 million more than in 2026, to support cultural programming and heritage conservation efforts, including the acquisition of Cabezo de la Joya.
- Sports, Health, and Consumer Affairs: €6.77 million, an increase of nearly €600,000, with investments in sports facilities and equipment.
- Citizen Security: Budget increased to €2.32 million, including €560,392 for fire service equipment and €120,000 for a Civil Protection ambulance.
Other municipal areas such as Economy and Finance, Citizen Participation, and Mobility and Education also see budget increases. Overall, the budget allocates €94.86 million for current expenditures, €72.85 million for personnel costs, €17.34 million for current transfers, and €14.22 million for real investments.
Separate file for financially sustainable investments
In addition to the 2027 Municipal Budget proposal, the city council is processing a separate credit modification file for 2026, amounting to €2.9 million, aimed at financing financially sustainable investments. This proposal includes four initiatives: €600,000 for the rehabilitation of municipal housing in Pérez Cubillas, €500,000 for projects related to the EDIL plans and the Old Prison, €500,000 for the acquisition of Cabezo de San Pedro, and €1.3 million for the first phase of the new fairground for the Colombinas Festival. This file is subject to its own approval and legal requirements and is not included in the €217.18 million budget proposal for 2027.
Through this budget, the city council sets the economic planning for the upcoming year, combining the necessary resources to ensure municipal services with initiatives to enhance facilities, public spaces, and the city's heritage.
