Hwaseong City's 2024 Budget Confirmed at 3.185 Trillion Won

[Suwon Ilbo=Lee Suwon] Hwaseong City's budget for next year has been confirmed at 3.185 trillion won. This represents an increase of 61.8 billion won compared to this year.

Lee Byeong-yeol, Director of the City Planning and Coordination Office, briefed on the matter on the 20th in the main conference room of City Hall, presenting the "2024 Budget Status."

Despite economic recession caused by persistent high inflation and high interest rates, the city reduced local tax revenue for next year to 1.274 trillion won, down 265.7 billion won from this year. However, through rigorous expenditure restructuring to secure as much available budget as possible and utilizing the integrated fiscal stabilization fund, the city has secured expenditure levels at or above previous years.

In particular, despite difficult financial conditions, social welfare budget was increased by 174 billion won or more compared to last year. The social welfare budget includes 212.3 billion won for basic pensions, 114.1 billion won for infant care and childcare fees, and 41.4 billion won for disability activity allowance support.

Additionally, for the economic sector budget, 50.3 billion won was allocated to strengthen small and medium enterprise competitiveness and revitalize local commerce, including financial support for small business owners and SMEs, startup venture company promotion, and operating small business support centers. 22 billion won was allocated for resident support projects including farmers' basic income.

To establish a citizen-centered, balanced development, and safe city, 51.8 billion won was allocated to building transportation infrastructure as a foundation for balanced development, and 64.4 billion won was allocated for safety budget to strengthen citizen safety in daily life.

Additionally, for the cultural sector budget, 3.8 billion won was allocated for creating eco-friendly ecological and cultural spaces including Hwaseong-style botanical gardens and barefoot walking paths, 40.2 billion won for building three libraries and a cultural arts town, 4.1 billion won for creating the West Coast Golden Coastal Path, and 3 billion won for creating the Gorryeom Mountain Marine Park.