RIGA, Jan 29 (LETA) - Valmiera city council today adopted the city's budget for 2021, projecting that the planned revenue at EUR 64 million and expenditure at EUR 62.64 million, the city's spokeswoman Kristine Melece reported.

This year, priorities in the city's budget include increase of wages for teachers and medics, promoting business and employment, investments in education, social protection, health, culture, sports and public security, development of urban environment.

Valmiera mayor Janis Baiks (For Valmiera and Vidzeme) explained that the municipal budget is affected by the government's decisions and the state of emergency for curbing Covid-19.

The mayor said that in cooperation with Beverina, Burtnieki, Koceni, Naukseni, Mazsalaca, Rujiena, and Strenci counties, local governments continue to prepare for implementation of the administrative territorial reform, using the economic development potential of Valmiera county.

Tax revenue in 2021 is projected at EUR 18.54 million, including EUR 16.8 million in personal income tax, EUR 1.7 million in property tax.

The Valmiera city budget is planned for a full year. After July 1, 2021, the budget will be merged with the municipal budget of the territories, belonging to the new Valmiera county.