The Sardinian municipalities are one step away from financial collapse due to high bills and price increases: either money arrives from the Region or there is a risk of default. It is not a journalistic hyperbole but the alarm raised by the mayors and representatives of the local government associations (Anci, Asel and Cal) who this morning in Cagliari met with the president of the regional council, Michele Pais, and all the group leaders.
In the coffers of the municipalities there is a shortage of about 60 million euros: money that would be enough only to pay the bills for public lighting and schools. Then there is the increase in requests for aid that comes from families and businesses.
“Not only by those who are looked after by our social services”, who live in a situation of permanent hardship, “but also by single-income households, who receive electricity bills of 600 euros. Or from manufacturing activities that have seen them triple. They all turn to us, who are the first interface ”. The practical examples are the mayor of Cagliari, Paolo Truzzu, who has to do with the rises as a father of a family but also as administrator of the first city of Sardinia. Just today his manager for the sector has allocated 5.6 million euros to keep the street lamps and traffic lights of the capital on: two million more than what was estimated only in April.
"Until 2021", explains the mayor, "we had an annual drop in bills of 10-12%. This year, from the assumed 4 million euros, we go to almost 10. And it happens despite the energy efficiency of the plants and the fixed tariffs until June. ”Failing that, the situation would be even worse.
For this year, thanks to the use of administrative surpluses, there is money in the balance sheet. In Cagliari, at least. However, they will be subtracted from investments. The drama is around the corner. “Current expenses will have to be addressed with current income. If energy costs do not decrease ”, Truzzu ruled,“ we have two paths: either the cut in services or the increase in taxes. And this second would not be enough anyway ".
For this reason, the Region was asked to set up a fund for local authorities to meet the expenses magnified by expensive energy.
The calculation, in broad terms, is quickly done. The major cities need about 20 million in all. On the other hand, the small municipalities - the estimate is by the president of Anci, Emiliano Deiana - each need sums ranging from 100 thousand to 200 thousand euros. Sixty million in all, by eye, is the necessary figure. Just to stop the emergency.
"Our municipalities are collapsing", says Maria Paola Secci, mayor of Sestu and president of Cal - we are in a dramatic situation due to energy increases: businesses, families and local authorities are exhausted by a situation that was already difficult for the effects of the pandemic. We asked the councilors and the council for the transfer of funds to help us. "The measures, for the administrators, will be included in the omnibus law: approved by the council, no one knows its contents.
"We ask that adequate measures be taken in the omnibus", reiterated the president of Anci, Emiliano Deiana, "because we have the expiry of the 2022 budget and the forecast setting of 2023. Obviously we also expect an intervention at the national level: the Anci has asked for one billion euros for all Italian municipalities ".
In the regional council also the mayor of Fonni, Daniela Falconi: "This year so far the weather has come to our rescue", he stressed, "but from next week we will have to turn on the heaters, especially in school buildings". And diesel fuel costs more and more.
