Apucarana municipal budget and debt management

The municipality of Apucarana has faced significant fiscal challenges regarding its budget and debt management.

In August 2026, the City Hall proposed an Annual Budget Law for 2027 totaling approximately R$ 717.1 million, a 5.84% increase from the previous year. The proposal included a reserve of roughly R$ 2.7 million for mandatory parliamentary amendments. Mayor Rodolfo Mota noted that mandatory expenditures for payroll, health, education, and inherited debts have limited the city’s capacity for new investments to between 6% and 8%. Mota also highlighted the difficulty of maintaining over 100 public buildings, stating that one-third are in poor condition due to a historical lack of maintenance.

Following these budgetary discussions, a judicial injunction was issued by Judge Norton Thomé Zardo to suspend a vote on Bill No. 145/2026. This legislation aimed to allow the municipality to participate in a federal debt refinancing program to extend payment terms for up to 30 years under Constitutional Amendment 36/2026. The suspension was granted following a public action by Councilman Lucas Leugi, citing irregularities in the legislative process and a lack of essential documentation, such as long-term financial impact estimates.

By early September 2026, efforts to resolve the municipality’s long-standing debt—which Councilman Guilherme Livoti estimated at approximately R$ 500 million—continued. The proposed strategy involves a 30-year repayment plan with monthly installments of roughly R$ 1.5 million. By utilizing a constitutional amendment, the city aims to settle the debt without interest, redirecting funds toward local investments. This debt situation had previously resulted in the suspension of transfers from the Municipal Participation Fund (FPM).