Odesa community criticizes authorities over closed budget for 2026

The Odesa City Council presented a draft budget for 2026 with a focus on defense, utilities, and social benefits. During the public hearings, residents criticized the authorities for not having access to the document and not being able to really influence the distribution of funds.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

Representatives of the city council noted that the draft budget for 2026 was prepared in accordance with the current legislation and the law on the state budget. The community's expenditures are planned at UAH 15.045 billion, of which UAH 14.436 billion is allocated to the general fund. The main sources of revenue are personal income taxes, a single tax, property tax, excise taxes, tourist tax, profits and parking fees.

The budget priorities include maintaining defense capabilities, critical infrastructure security, stable operation of public utilities, and provision of social, educational, and medical services. The document takes into account the increase in the minimum wage to UAH 8,647, the subsistence minimum to UAH 3,328, and the projected inflation rate of 109.7%. The reverse subsidy was reduced from UAH 881.4 million to UAH 141.7 million.

Particular attention was paid to the DREAM public investment system, which received 597 projects and three programs, but the Investment Council approved only 50. The rest need to be finalized, and funding will begin no earlier than the second quarter of 2026.

During the hearings, residents and activists raised issues of budget transparency, project control, funding for healthcare, schools, and road repairs, as well as the arrangement of memorials, in particular at the Western Cemetery and Shevchenko Park. The public criticized the authorities for not having access to the document.

One of the participants emphasized that it is virtually impossible to discuss the budget, which has not yet been made public, and after the event, the public can only analyze it and send written proposals or appeals.

Representatives of the city council and the Department of Finance assured that once the draft is published on the city council's website, citizens will be able to send suggestions and comments. The budget also provides for controlled support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the level of UAH 500 million with a possible increase depending on financial revenues and the needs of the city.

The Center for Public Investigations also analyzed how the payroll of Odesa City Council employees is formed: when the budget is approved, the total expenditures for executive bodies are determined, and then the managers distribute payments on a monthly basis. After the decision of the head of the Odesa City Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak, to cut the fund, members of the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance expressed their dissatisfaction.

Анна Бальчінос