Etten-Leur unveils 2026 budget with €1.4 million surplus and stable rates for residents
Etten-Leur’s 2026 budget reveals a strong financial position, with a €1.4 million surplus and stable sewage and waste disposal rates. Residents benefit from affordable services, while the municipality invests in sustainability, housing, and youth care, ensuring a secure future for the community.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Budget Surplus (2026) | €1.4 million |
| Sewage & Waste Disposal Rates | Unchanged in 2026 |
| Other Rates Increase | Small percentage (inflation adjustment) |
| Major Investments | Tunnel, ring roads, Haansberg-Oost residential area, town centre vision |
| Youth Care & Wmo | Compensation used for Youth Reform Agenda; action plan by early 2026 |
| Workforce Challenges | Labour shortages and ageing population impact staff capacity |
| Sustainability Focus | Energy savings, greenery, biodiversity, and circular initiatives |
The municipality of Etten-Leur is responsible for local governance, including financial planning, infrastructure development, and social services like youth care and the Wmo (Support and Participation Act). Its role ensures the delivery of essential services and long-term investments that directly impact residents' quality of life.
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Stable financial position inspires confidence in the future
Etten-Leur is in a strong financial position. The 2026 budget shows that the municipality has a healthy and stable financial standing, with a positive balance of €1.4 million in 2026. This solid financial foundation inspires confidence in the future and provides the new council and new executive board with the room to realise their ambitions. The budget not only offers certainty but also perspective: there is room for growth, innovation, and social development. The combination of financial stability, manageable costs, strong collaboration, and a clear focus on sustainability and inclusivity strengthens Etten-Leur’s positive outlook.
Mayor Marina Starmans on the new municipal council and the Executive Programme (CUP): “With this budget, we are closing a period in which much has been achieved and important choices have been made. The Executive Programme has been almost fully implemented. Together with the council, residents, entrepreneurs, and social partners, we have made clear choices and realised ambitions. In 2026, a new municipal council will be elected and a new executive board will take office. We can then confidently hand over the reins to the new municipal administration. They will have the space to set their own priorities and implement new plans, with a solid financial foundation as the starting point.”
Finances: stability and room for investment
Councillor for Finance Ger de Weert emphasises: “The 2026 budget is balanced. This means a balance between income and expenditure. Our financial position is generally good and stable. The forecast for the coming five years is positive.
The September circular outlines how much funding municipalities will receive from the central government. For our municipality, this year’s allocation is favourable. At the same time, concerns remain for the longer term. Major investments are planned for municipal facilities, such as the tunnel and ring roads, which could impact future expenditure.
It is important for our residents that rates remain affordable. Thanks to our healthy financial position, the sewage and waste disposal rates will remain the same in 2026. Other rates will only increase by a small percentage (inflation adjustment). This is beneficial for residents’ purchasing power. Last year, we asked joint arrangements to keep their contributions stable or, if possible, reduce them. This has had a visible effect.”
Executive Programme almost fully implemented
The Executive Programme (CUP), established in 2022, has been almost fully implemented. The organisation is still working hard on the remaining actions. The programme’s implementation has been carried out while maintaining a healthy financial position and building reserves for the ring roads and tunnel.
Developments, capacity, and challenges
Etten-Leur is not standing still. For example, the municipality is actively working to strengthen the resilience of the community. This is necessary due to global conflicts, cyber threats, and the risk of prolonged disruption to facilities. We propose that the council allocate a budget in 2026 for the initial preparations.
The current executive board will leave new policy initiatives to the new municipal council and the new executive board, so they can set their own priorities. The biggest challenge now is not financial but relates to the required staff capacity. Labour market shortages and an ageing population make it difficult to fill vacancies. This could slow down or limit the implementation of policy and projects. Etten-Leur is an attractive employer, and we want to keep it that way.
Wmo and Youth Care
We are using the compensation for youth care to implement the Youth Reform Agenda. Research shows that Etten-Leur performs well in the areas of Wmo (Support and Participation Act) and youth care. We are doing well. Nevertheless, we have translated the outcomes into measures to ensure that youth care is future-proof. In an action plan, to be finalised in early 2026, we will further develop these measures. To keep care affordable and accessible, we will implement three concrete measures in domestic support from 2026 onwards. It is important that we maintain a human touch: support will remain tailored to the personal situation of residents, so that no one is left behind.
Investments
In 2026, we will continue to invest. We will also adjust the maintenance budget for sports facilities based on the latest calculations. We will continue with plans already underway, such as the development of new residential areas in Haansberg-Oost, urban housing construction, the town centre vision, and the car-free Markt square. Sustainability and liveability remain important: we are investing in energy savings, more greenery, biodiversity, and circular initiatives, so that Etten-Leur is ready for the future.
Looking ahead with confidence
“A strong financial position is a solid starting point, but equally important is our collaboration with residents, entrepreneurs, and social partners,” says Mayor Marina Starmans. “Etten-Leur is proud of its facilities, the involvement of its residents, and the constructive collaboration that makes our municipality strong. We are confidently handing over the reins to the new municipal council.”