Hwaseong City Compiles Record-High 2024 Budget of 2.948 Trillion Won

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Hwaseong City compiled the 2022 budget at a record-high scale of 2.948 trillion won and submitted it to the Hwaseong City Council on the 19th. This represents an increase of approximately 11.14%, or 295.5 billion won, compared to this year.

The budget proposal focused on supporting vulnerable populations whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19, achieving complete return to normalcy and recovery of the stagnant local economy, and securing innovative growth momentum to prepare for the future.

The budget was compiled with a general account of 2.575 trillion won and a special account of 373 billion won. Local tax revenue was estimated at 1.3727 trillion won, an increase of 297.5 billion won, reflecting improved business performance of major companies in the region and economic recovery, while non-tax revenue was estimated at 136.7 billion won, a slight decrease.

Government subsidy funds were set at 1.0654 trillion won, an increase of 193.2 billion won from this year, reflecting the government's expansionary budget to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and support local economic activation.

The city compiled social welfare budget at 897.5 billion won, a 10.68% increase from this year, with the goal of establishing a warm and comprehensive Hwaseong-style welfare and safety net. This accounts for the largest share of 34.86% among all budget categories for next year.

Major projects include ▲Basic pension of 166.7 billion won ▲Childcare expenses for infants and young children of 119.6 billion won ▲Child allowances of 85.7 billion won.

In particular, to realize 'Hwaseong City as a good place to raise children,' a total of 10 billion won will be invested in ▲Growth and development support for daycare centers and kindergartens of 3.8 billion won ▲Additional family childcare allowance support of 3 billion won ▲Free rotavirus vaccination for infants and young children of 2.1 billion won.

The public health budget to support phased return to normal daily life also saw a significant increase to 77.6 billion won, up 40.76% or 22.4 billion won from this year. Major projects include COVID-19 vaccination delegated medical institution implementation fees of 14.2 billion won and support for children's preventive vaccinations of 12.7 billion won.

Budget allocations were made for flagship projects of the 7th civil administration and core projects of the Hwaseong-style Green New Deal for carbon neutrality, including ▲Bus public service operation of 26.9 billion won ▲Free public transportation support of 15 billion won ▲Smart green city development of 10.9 billion won.

Additionally, as large-scale investment projects to drive the regional economy, budget was allocated for ▲Dongtan 2 bus public service garage construction project of 20.6 billion won ▲Youth hostel construction at Gungpyeong tourist site of 10 billion won ▲Independence movement history and culture park development of 11.1 billion won ▲Parking tower and three other parking lot construction projects at Dongtan Lake Park of 22.2 billion won.

For small business owners and small and medium enterprises facing a matter of life and death due to COVID-19, a budget of 69.9 billion won, a 26.45% increase from this year, was allocated. The city plans to provide a foundation for management improvement and renewed growth, including ▲Small business and SME financial support of 8.2 billion won ▲Specialized support for small manufacturers of 1.6 billion won.

The 2022 budget proposal submitted by the city will be finalized on December 16 following deliberation and resolution by the 207th Hwaseong City Council to be held on the 25th.