Tallinn Officials Complete 2013 Draft Budget
The Tallinn City Government submitted its 2013 draft budget, with a 486.5 million euro bottom line, to the City Council for approval.
A release from the city's press office said that next year's budget priorities are children, sports and ensuring a successful move to free public transport, the last expected to come with a 12-million-euro loss in ticket sales revenue.
Investment projects grew to 67.9 million euros - a 7 percent increase.
"The biggest increase - a doubling - is investments into nursery schools," said Mayor Edgar Savisaar. "Among other things, a program called 'A playground for all kindergartens' will be launched.
A total of 31.5 million euros will be spent on street repair. The biggest project is the Ülemiste interchange, which will be completed next autumn.
All people registered as residents in Tallinn plus all schoolchildren and retirees can ride public transport for free starting January 1, which will cost the city 2.5 percent of its budget in terms of revenue forgone.
In the first half-year of 2013, the city also plans to increase wage funds at municipal institutions by 4-15 percent.