No.65 Initial Budget for Fiscal Year 2017

Inagi Newsletter April 15, 2017 Edition

This year, the initial budget for the new fiscal year was approved at the first Regular Session of the City Council, so I will provide an overview.
The scale of the General Fund Budget for fiscal year 2017 is 32.14 billion yen, which is a decrease of 2.56 billion yen, or 7.4%, compared to the previous year.
In the previous fiscal year, expenses were recorded for the large-scale renovation work at Inagi Dai 2 Elementary School, the construction of the After-School Childcare Program at Inagi Dai 2 Elementary School, the large-scale renovation work at the Central Community Center Hall, the large-scale renovation work at Inagi Dai 1 Junior High School, the construction of the Fire Branch Office, and the temporary welfare benefit payment projects. The total amount of these one-time factors is approximately 2.84 billion yen, which means that the budget for fiscal year 2017 is effectively an increase.
In terms of revenue, the Municipal Tax income increased by 1.5% based on the number of taxpayers and the increase in newly constructed houses, reaching the first 15 billion yen level. However, due to this impact, the local allocation tax has decreased by about 400 million yen.
In terms of expenditures, there was a significant reduction in fire and education expenses due to the completion of construction projects in fiscal year 2016. Although the welfare expenses, which are mostly social security costs, saw a slight decrease due to the end of the temporary welfare benefits, their proportion of the overall budget has increased from 40% last year to 43%.

This year, we have organized a budget to work on the Fourth Long-Term Comprehensive Plan, promote the achievement of the goals set forth in the Inagi City Community, People, and Business Revitalization Comprehensive Strategy, continue support for the disaster-affected areas of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Kumamoto Earthquake, and prioritize disaster prevention and mitigation measures for the safety of our citizens.
In terms of parenting support, we will expand the number of children accepted at Licensed Childcare Centers and Family Welfare Workers, negotiate the use of metropolitan land to establish Licensed Childcare Centers based on Tokyo's "Emergency Measures to Eliminate Waiting Children," and implement privatization associated with the construction of the After-School Childcare Program at Inagi Dai 2 Elementary School.
In relation to support for Older Adults, we will implement measures such as the provision of automatic call recording devices to combat wire transfer fraud, a commemorative project for the 10th anniversary of the caregiving support volunteer system, and the establishment of a concentrated support team for early-stage dementia as part of the community-based integrated care system.
In the field of education, we will conduct a city-specific academic ability survey and establish a special needs education review committee, as well as prepare for land acquisition and work on the detailed design for the relocation and rebuilding of the School Lunch joint cooking facility, First Kitchen.
In the area of tourism and exchange, we will establish the (tentative name) Inagi City Sister City and Friendship City Exchange Association Preparatory Committee and the (tentative name) Inagi City Tourism Association Establishment Council, aiming for the launch of each.
In relation to safe and secure Community Development, we will implement the installation of security cameras in municipal parks and Childcare Centers, the renewal of four fire pump vehicles for the fire brigade, the deployment of small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and the establishment of Wi-Fi in evacuation facilities.
This year's main construction projects include the City Hall parking lot improvement, the construction of the Hirao Friend Complex parking lot, the tunnel construction connecting the Land Readjustment Project areas of Kamihirao and Kodara, waterproofing and exterior renovation work on the roof of Inagi Dai 4 Elementary School, large-scale renovation work at Inagi Dai 3 Junior High School (this year includes the expansion), air conditioning renovation work in the staff room at Nagamine Elementary School, installation of air conditioning in the library of Inagi Dai 6 Junior High School, and installation of air conditioning in the science rooms of Inagi Dai 2 to Dai 6 Junior High Schools, totaling approximately 1 billion yen for these projects.
Regarding the i-bus, additional services started on March 27, 2017, and operations began based on the second phase of the revised route. This is the result of two years of discussions and considerations in the community public transport meeting with citizen participation, and we would like to express our gratitude once again.
This year, we will continue to advance the community development of Inagi while listening to the opinions of the citizens, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation.