Nishinomiya City Shares Plan to Address ¥4.2 Billion Deficit and Seeks Public Ideas

It looks like Nishinomiya City’s financial problems are becoming more serious. But this is important for thinking together about the future of Nishinomiya City, so we’ll explain it as clearly as possible〜
(Information provided by Kagayaki Issue 509 @ Nishi2 SP)

What’s the problem right now?

• Nishinomiya City’s household budget (finances) is apparently running a deficit! In 2022, it was an astonishing 4.2 billion yen deficit!
• If things continue like this, the city’s savings (fiscal reserve fund) will reach zero by 2027… We’re already seeing a future where the city’s household ledger is deep in the red💦
• There are various reasons…
  • Costs for nursing care, childcare, and medical services keep rising.
  • Public facilities are aging, and repair costs are piling up.
  • Tax revenue is flowing to other areas through furusato nozei hometown tax donations.

What solutions is Nishinomiya City considering?

Nishinomiya City has put together this plan (solution → Nishinomiya City Fiscal Structure Improvement Implementation Plan (Draft)), thinking, “We want to somehow stop the deficit and connect this to the future!” Here’s a partial look at what they plan to do〜

Increase revenue (money coming in)!

1. Sell or lease city-owned land: Make effective use of unused land and buildings.
2. Review facility usage fees, etc.: Adjust fees to appropriate levels while considering rising prices.
3. Strengthen furusato nozei: Improve return gifts and publicity to reduce the outflow of tax revenue.
4. Support people with overdue payments: Accept consultations while strengthening collection systems.

More specifically, like this

• Facility usage fee reviews would look something like this
  • Revising fees for facilities used by residents, such as crematorium usage fees and waste disposal handling fees.
  • Increasing revenue by improving the contract rate for municipal housing parking lots.
  • Reviewing the welfare reduction/exemption system for city-owned land and leased facilities.

Reduce expenditures (money going out)!

1. Promote paperless operations and DX (digitalization): Improve administrative efficiency and cut costs.
2. Review personnel costs: Adjust salary levels, review allowances, and manage staff numbers.
3. Consolidate or eliminate resident-use facilities and counter services: Reduce facilities with low usage rates.
4. Promote outsourcing: Use private-sector resources to make operations more efficient.
5. Reorganize community development hubs, nursery schools, and kindergartens: Reduce the total amount of public facilities.
6. Review affiliated organizations: Consider consolidation, elimination, and scaling down operations.

More specifically, like this

• Reducing the total amount of facilities
  • Reorganizing public kindergartens and nursery schools (reducing total floor area by 10,730㎡).
  • Reducing toilets near stations and in parks.
  • Aiming for efficient operation by integrating community development hubs.
• Reviewing resident services
  • Reviewing the senior citizen bus fare subsidy program.
  • Ending the beiju 88th birthday celebration program.
  • Reviewing medical expense subsidy programs (support for people transitioning into older age and people with disabilities).
• Making administrative services more efficient
  • Cutting costs through paperless operations and DX.
  • Reviewing counter service systems and consolidating or eliminating facilities.
• Reorganizing affiliated organizations
  • Reviewing the operations of the Urban Development Corporation and the Land Development Corporation.
  • Reconsidering outsourced work to Sakura FM.

It may be a lot to read, but for much more detail, please see this〜

Public opinions (public comments) are now being accepted for this plan

The city is asking for opinions like, “Couldn’t we do something more like this?” or “How about this idea?” Apparently, this is called a public comment period〜.

• Submission period: Monday, November 25, 2024 – Wednesday, December 25, 2024
• How to submit:
  • By mail, FAX, or in person
  • You can also submit easily through the city’s LINE account!

What everyone can do

Think of ideas to help Nishinomiya City become more vibrant

• For example
  • Ideas to “earn through tourism”: Promote Nishinomiya specialties nationwide! Make better use of events and local products!
  • A “save together” strategy: Review public facility usage hours and think about more efficient ways to use them.
  • Ideas to “win at furusato nozei”: Promote return gifts that feel uniquely Nishinomiya and appeal to local pride!

Finally

It would be great if everyone could share ideas and help solve Nishinomiya City’s fiscal deficit! Sharp critiques and bright, forward-looking suggestions would both be good. Things like, “I want the city to do this!” or “Maybe I could help with this!” and so on.

Click here for details on the public comment period〜

※Kagayaki Issue 509 @ Nishi2 SP, thank you very much for the information!!
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