Oosterzele faces 1.5 million euro shortfall due to Flemish budget cuts

The municipality of Oosterzele expects a significant reduction in financial resources due to budget cuts implemented by the Flemish government. Between 2026 and 2031, the municipality anticipates a total loss of approximately 1.5 million euros compared to original projections.

Mayor Orville Cottenie and Finance Alderman Filip Michiels noted that these funds were previously factored into multi-year plans for services and investments. The deficit is primarily driven by a reduced growth rate for the Municipal Fund, which was originally expected to grow by 3.5% annually.

The projected losses include roughly 1,096,000 euros from the municipal fund, 95,000 euros from the OCMW fund, and 304,000 euros from the open space fund. By 2031, the annual impact is expected to reach over 353,000 euros, forcing the municipality to re-evaluate its financial planning and ambitions.