Slovak municipalities are facing the looming threat of existential problems in September if the government does not release the required €108 million for local government. This concern was highlighted during a meeting in Medzibrod by representatives of the Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS). The situation is particularly worrying for municipal and town schools, as local authorities are legally obliged to finance them, but the state has not provided them with additional funds.
Moreover, the current financial strain on municipalities is evident with some financially undersized job positions in nurseries and elementary schools. The situation may exacerbate from September onward, as teachers' salaries are mandated by law to increase by ten percent. This puts further pressure on the already strained budgets of local governments, potentially leading to severe challenges in providing essential services and support to the communities they serve.
In response to these challenges, Gabriel Mihalyi, chairman of ZMOS public administration section, believes that the upcoming project of shared service centers from the recovery plan could be a much-needed support for local governments. The pilot project aims to build trust in public administration and improve the efficiency of services for people in small villages while bringing public administration closer to citizens. However, Mihalyi calls on all partners, including the Interior Ministry, to engage in more comprehensive discussions about the project's goals, implementation strategies, and expectations from citizens. By understanding and addressing these aspects, the project could have a meaningful impact on enhancing public services and administration in local communities.
Source: TASR
