Dwindling revenue from construction projects, the primary source of income for many municipalities and motivation for much unnecessary building, is forcing Councils to seek other sources of revenue, even including inventing new taxes. Such is the case in Vélez-Málaga.
The Council is trying to be inventive in creating alternative sources of revenue although they insist that they do not want to increase the tax burden for residents.
The first measure under consideration is a new tax on ATM’s located on the outside of banks and other financial institutions for ‘occupation of public roads’. This could, of course, lead to more banks putting their ATM’s within the building, which would be a sensible move on the part of the banks but would mean the Council would have to think up a new tax.
Perhaps a tax on the use of the pavement to enter business premises?
The second item under consideration would affect some residents. It relates to road traffic accidents where a Local Police presence is required and the Council is studying whether or not it is worth setting up a new municipal ordinance and tax for such situations.
Despite not wishing to increase the tax burden on residents, it is expected that there will be increased taxes relating to towing costs, wedding costs and the use of sports facilities.