Municipal council preceded by financial audit

In the days before the municipal council scheduled for Monday, November 2, the majority in Vauvert revealed the results of a financial audit of the commune. The mayor, Nicolas Meizonnet, presented the findings during a public meeting at the George Bizet hall, where residents filled the available seats. No opposition elected officials were present.

Mayor highlights financial responsibility

The mayor emphasized that the audit is part of the administration's effort to ensure the proper use of public funds. He stated that Vauvert is not rich, and every euro spent must be useful to the residents. During the electoral campaign, he had highlighted the financial situation, but his detractors claimed he was exaggerating or lying.

Financial situation worse than expected

Upon taking office, the administration became more aware of the real situation, which they described as worse than anticipated, with a severe over-indebtedness. The mayor requested a meeting with the Gard prefecture, where officials confirmed that the commune is under increased monitoring due to its financial instability. If the situation continues, the state may have to choose the city's budget, a scenario the administration aims to avoid.

Comprehensive audit reveals troubling trends

Following the initial audit by the DGFIP, the Parisian firm Aspasie was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive audit covering the period from 2020 to 2025, with projections extending to the end of the municipal mandate. The audit, presented by Djamel Bouzerzour, general director and founder of Aspasie, revealed a concerning financial outlook.

Self-financing capacity drops sharply

The self-financing capacity (CAF) of the commune dropped to 647,000 euros in 2025, compared to 1,485 million euros in 2024. This represents 55 euros per inhabitant, far below the national average of 216 euros. The gross saving rate reached 3.56%, well below the 8% warning threshold set by the firm and the 7% alert threshold set by the Court of Auditors.

Expenses and debt grow significantly

Real operating expenses in 2025 reached 18.1 million euros, a 26.3% increase since 2021. Personnel costs rose from 8.5 million euros in 2021 to 10.9 million euros in 2025, while general charges increased from 2.97 million to 4.12 million euros. Personnel costs now represent 60% of real operating expenses and mobilize 887 euros per inhabitant, compared to an average of 752 euros nationally.

Debt reduction capacity worsens

The debt balance stood at 16.87 million euros as of December 31, 2025, a decrease compared to 18.12 million in 2024. However, the debt reduction capacity is estimated at 26.07 years, compared to 12.2 years in 2024. The average for the stratum is 3.76 years, and the warning threshold is 12 years.

Working capital decline affects operations

Working capital declined from 4.822 million euros at the end of 2024 to 2.573 million euros at the end of 2025, a decrease of 2.249 million euros (-46.6%). It now only covers 54 days of real operating expenses, compared to 105 days a year earlier and 84 days on average for the stratum.

Financial outlook remains uncertain

The municipality projects a net CAF of -900,000 euros for 2026, or even more in some scenarios. Factors contributing to this include decisions made in 2025, high expenses in the first quarter of 2026, and commitments from 2025 to be paid in 2026. The deputy mayor for finance, Daniel Santamatilde, outlined a recovery plan up to 2031, aiming to bring the net CAF to -200,000 euros in 2027, then to balance in 2028, before generating positive figures in subsequent years.

Recovery plan includes expense control and revenue growth

To achieve this, the municipality plans to control expenses and develop revenues, including increasing tax bases through new constructions and work with the DDFIP on categories 7 and 8. Initial actions include increased rigor on purchases, reorganization of services, and systematic analysis of expense and revenue positions.

Budget cuts and public reaction

The municipality has already reduced subsidies for events such as Jazz à Vauvert, cutting 65,000 euros in funding, a decision that some criticized but which officials defended as necessary. Local taxes will not be increased, a decision praised by the public. The mayor emphasized the need to balance expenses and revenues without increasing local taxes, a challenging task that will require difficult decisions.

Future budget decisions outlined

Budget preparation for 2027 will begin in November, with decisions expected in January 2027 and the vote on the preliminary budget in March. A public meeting is planned for April 2027 to present the choices made to restore the commune's financial health.