Italian municipalities grapple with rising TARI taxes and budget strain

Councilor Alessandro Perini (Fratelli d'Italia) blames recent TARI increases on three policy choices he calls "scellerate": the 2022 closure of the local waste‑to‑energy plant, the continuation of a door‑to‑door recycling system, and a promised “TARI gratis” exemption. He said the combined effect has cost the city millions of euros, noting that “Sugli aumenti TARI pesano i milioni di euro spesi per le spese di consenso”.

Mayor Alessio Mugnaini of Montespertoli has appealed to the national government and other institutions for a coordinated effort to protect municipal finances. He points to rising fixed costs—including about €70,000 a year for electricity, €12,000 for gas, and increased personnel expenses—uncertain reimbursement of PNRR‑funded projects, and declining revenues from school fees and marriage fees. Mugnaini wrote that “È necessario uno sforzo istituzionale congiunto per salvare i bilanci dei comuni”.