Icheon City Implements Emergency Supplementary Budget of 356 Billion Won to Overcome Crisis and Stabilize People's Livelihoods

[Suwon Ilbo=Eom In-yong Reporter] Icheon City announced that the '2026 First Supplementary Budget' of 1.7066 trillion won (including base budget), compiled for economic stimulus and stabilization of people's livelihoods, was confirmed at the Icheon City Council plenary session on the 2nd.

This represents an increase of 356 billion won from the base budget, with 292.6 billion won added to the general account and 63.4 billion won to special accounts. This is proactive fiscal investment to recover the local economy, which has been depressed due to early spring cold waves, high prices, and recent Middle East geopolitical instability, while supporting the stability of citizens' lives.

In particular, the city will aggressively promote a total of 39.1 billion won-scale 'Special Measures for People's Livelihood Stability' through this supplementary budget, focusing on substantial support that citizens can feel.

The livelihood stabilization supplementary measures will be implemented around three key areas: △stabilization of lives for vulnerable groups including the low-income △support for small business owners and revitalization of local economy △rapid resolution of residents' living inconveniences.

First, heating costs of 200,000 won per household (50,000 won from provincial budget, 150,000 won from Icheon City) were preemptively provided in March to approximately 5,200 households including basic livelihood security recipients and near-poor households facing high energy costs due to high oil prices, helping ease the burden on vulnerable groups.

To reduce consumer and small business owner burdens and recover the local economy, Icheon Love local currency incentives have been expanded to a maximum of 20% (10% on charging, additional 10% on use), the highest level nationwide, and in May and September, all merchants will simultaneously apply charging and payment benefits to maximize consumption promotion effects.

Additionally, incentives will be provided when using public delivery apps to encourage consumption recovery focused on alley commerce.

In particular, the city plans to expand special guarantees and business environment improvement projects while providing customized support by commercial district to support management stability and self-sustainability.

Furthermore, the city is accelerating the resolution of inconveniences directly related to citizens' lives. To address suggestions raised in 'Dialogue with Residents,' the city has reflected 17.5 billion won in the supplementary budget for road, river, sports facility, and hiking trail maintenance, planning to enhance the effect of improving living environments.

Along with this, the city plans to concentrate 504.1 billion won (66% of consumption and investment sector finance based on base budget) in the first half to simultaneously promote consumption and investment within the region and serve as a primer for economic recovery to boost the economy.

Meanwhile, in addition to livelihood measures, this supplementary budget also reflects balanced investment in urban infrastructure and future preparedness.

Major projects include △social welfare and health 11 billion won △expansion of sports infrastructure 21.6 billion won △road development and transportation network expansion 29.1 billion won △public parking lots and garages construction 34.5 billion won △safety prevention facility maintenance 18.2 billion won, △agricultural and livestock support 16.1 billion won, among others.

The city will also implement projects for balanced regional development including construction of administrative welfare centers in Janghowon-eup and Changjeon-dong, construction of a women's vision center, and acquisition of public land in the Jungli district.

Mayor Kim Kyung-hee stated, "Now, protecting citizens' lives is the top priority of city administration," adding, "I will mobilize all means from emergency support such as heating costs to policies that revive the local economy, and commit fully to recovering people's livelihoods and stimulating the economy."