Saint-Josse raises taxes and cuts services in face of financial difficulty

Saint-Josse-ten-Noode mayor Emir Kir has announced a 37% increase in property taxes just nine months after his re-election.

“Municipalities are suffocating today,” Kir told Bruzz, placing the blame squarely on what he described as "federal underfunding".

“Let me give you an example. In 2004, we received approximately €2 million from the federal government for the police. Today, that figure is €4 million. But during the same period, the municipal contribution to the police has more than quadrupled from €4 to €17 million.”

Saint-Josse has been in poor financial shape for several years, posting a deficit of €13 million in 2024.

It recently joined the ranks of 11 other Brussels local authorities that receive additional funding from the regional level. The municipality took out a loan of €7 million per month to guarantee its functioning and the payment of staff.

The Brussels region is linking a thorough recovery plan to the credit, including two financial inspectors who have settled in Saint-Josse to work with the municipal administration to identify areas where savings can be made.

Pending their conclusions, some measures have already been announced – including the property tax hike, which puts Saint-Josse just behind Schaerbeek in having the highest property tax in the region.

There will also be cuts in services and Kir has announced a U-turn on a campaign promise that "administrative documents will remain free of charge", telling Bruzz that "free no longer exists".

Though the mayor did not wish to comment on which administrative documents will cost money just yet, he did note several changes, including that getting married on a Saturday will cost €150, when previously it was free. Getting married on a weekday will also become more expensive at €100 instead of €50.

The price of a passport is rising from €65 to €85 and an identity card will cost €25 instead of €20. A change of address is €8, whereas previously it was free. For new residents, too, the cost of processing a residency application are no longer free but €10.

Through these price increases, the additional plans of the regional inspectors and other measures, Kir hopes to achieve a balanced budget by 2027.

“We’ve already decided to close the municipal container park, which will save half a million euros per year,” Kir said.

“We will also not be replacing several dozen municipal employees when they retire or when their temporary contracts expire.”

On top of the €13 million budget deficit, Saint-Josse also has a number of unpaid bills, including €12 million that it owes the Brussels-North police zone and €11 million for the municipality's CPAS (public social welfare centre).

The opposition in Saint-Jossse said the money woes were linked to more than just unpaid bills and the deficit. Saint-Josse must repay at least €2 million to the European Commission because it had charged it an unjustified office tax in the past, and another €7 million in operating costs is also still unpaid.

Kir denies the opposition’s claims of at least €45 million in outstanding debts for 2025.

Prior to turning to the region, Saint-Josse already used up its entire credit line of €26 million with Belfius bank.

“Compare that credit facility to a credit card – at some point, you have to pay the bill,” said opposition member Pascal Lemaire (Ecolo-Groen), adding that Kir himself has a lot to answer for.

“The number of staff members has exploded just before the elections. Over the years, certain projects have been completely mismanaged. Think of the costs for the cultural centre: €17 million instead of the estimated €5 million.”

Lemaire rejected the premise that federal underfunding is to blame.

“We’re the municipality with the highest number of staff per inhabitant and we generate a lot of income thanks to all the offices and hotels,” Lemaire said.

“We are in this financial hole thanks to a pure management problem.”