Billions planned for social programs and education in Odesa: executive committee considers budget for 2026

Odesa amended the city budget for 2026 to increase funding for the social sector and city programs. Attention was also paid to supporting educational institutions in areas where hostilities are ongoing.

This was reported by the press service of the Odesa City Council.

On February 12, an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee of the city council began in Odesa. According to the mayor's office, the meeting will be broadcast online.

The agenda includes the issue of the Department of Finance. The acting director of the department , Halyna Savchenko, will report on proposals for changes to the budget of the Odesa city territorial community for 2026, which have been submitted to the Odesa city military administration. Other issues on the agenda of the extraordinary executive committee have not yet been made public.

According to the draft decision, the community's revenues are proposed to be set at more than UAH 18.1 billion, of which almost UAH 17.8 billion will be general fund revenues and about UAH 338 million will be special fund revenues.

Total expenditures are planned at more than UAH 18 billion, with the general fund's expenditures amounting to UAH 17.63 billion and the special fund's - UAH 374 million. At the same time, it is planned to repay loans to the budget in the amount of over UAH 13 million. The deficit of the general fund will amount to about UAH 7.5 million, and the deficit of the special fund will be UAH 154.8 million. The reserve fund is proposed to be increased to UAH 3.84 billion, which is almost 22% of the general fund expenditures, which will allow for a quick response to unforeseen community needs.

Special attention in the amendments is paid to the implementation of city programs: more than UAH 6.47 billion is planned to be allocated for them. In addition, the document provides for the allocation of almost UAH 699 million to pay salaries and wages to employees of preschool education institutions in the areas where military operations are ongoing. The funds will be provided through an additional subsidy from the state budget, and the Department of Education and Science of Odesa City Council is designated as the main spending unit.

In general, the proposals are intended to ensure the stable functioning of urban infrastructure, support for the social sphere and key industries under martial law.

As Intent wrote, the first session of the Odesa City Council this year was postponed from February 11 to February 25, and this is the second time. Meanwhile, at least one issue that could have caused discussions in the session hall was decided not to be submitted to the session. It is the project for the maintenance and reconstruction of the City Garden, which was approved by the executive committee of the Odesa City Council on January 18 and in which the deputies did not include the territory of the Summer Theater.

Анна Бальчінос