The Chelyabinsk region has maintained financial stability and gained a “safety cushion”

The income received by the Chelyabinsk region in 2023 made it possible to provide resources for all planned obligations laid down in the region’s budget and additional expenses that arose, as well as to create a safety cushion for the future.

The results of the execution of the regional budget for last year were reviewed and approved by deputies of the Legislative Assembly of the region at a meeting on April 25.

According to First Deputy Minister of Finance Anton Prygunov, regional budget revenues last year increased by 13% compared to 2022 and amounted to 285.4 billion rubles (115.8% of the plan). The growth in income is primarily due to a 22% increase in own revenues – 239 billion rubles – against the backdrop of improved performance indicators of enterprises.

“Income tax revenues increased most significantly – by 43.5%, mainly due to the metallurgical and mining industries“- clarified Anton Prygunov. The region received 58 billion rubles in excess of what was originally planned.

44 billion rubles were allocated from the federal budget to the regional budget in 2023. During the year, the Chelyabinsk region received an additional 2.6 billion rubles, in addition to the initially distributed funds, including as a result of the region’s work with federal authorities.

Revenues received in 2023 made it possible to fully finance expenses totaling 278.9 billion rubles. At the same time, all expenditure obligations approved at the regional level were fulfilled in a timely manner and in full, both for planned expenses and for those that arose additionally in connection with the geopolitical and foreign economic situation.

The regional government ensured the implementation of national projects, as well as an increase in wages for public sector workers in connection with an increase in the minimum wage and in accordance with the “May” presidential decrees.

Social support citizens in 2023 were provided in the amount of 72.5 billion rubles. The full range of established assistance measures has been provided to military personnel, members of their families, specialists located in the combat zone, and volunteers.

Into the sphere education Almost 66 billion rubles were allocated. Special attention was paid to the creation of the Inter-University Campus in Chelyabinsk, provision of qualified security to educational organizations, centralized procurement for schools in connection with the transition from September 1, 2023 to a new format of textbooks.

IN healthcare 24.7 billion rubles were received. A number of new areas have been funded, including the federal project “Combating Diabetes Mellitus” and social payments to primary care specialists.

For financing physical education and sports in 2023, 8.7 billion rubles were allocated. Subsidies to municipalities have been increased for the purchase and installation of equipment to create “smart” sports grounds. Among the new expenses is the construction of an indoor football arena in Chelyabinsk.

In the field culture expenses amounted to 5.2 billion rubles. Municipalities have been allocated funds for the modernization of theaters for young spectators and puppet theaters, and the creation of modular cultural centers.

Anton Prygunov reported that in 2023, despite the large volume of solved social problems, in general they were maintained, and in certain areas increased investment investments region. Economic expenses amounted to 69.9 billion rubles – this is every fourth ruble of the budget.

Amount of modernization expenses road facilities in 2023 amounted to 23.9 billion rubles. The Southern Urals received a preferential loan from the federal budget to bring highways to standard condition.

More than 15 billion rubles were allocated to the sphere transport, primarily within the framework of two largest infrastructure projects: “Metrotram” in Chelyabinsk and “Integrated development of the Chelyabinsk agglomeration”. Also in 2023, through the use of a special treasury loan, a large batch of new passenger buses was purchased for municipalities in the region.

Expenses for housing and communal services sphere amounted to 16.3 billion rubles. The region continued resettlement citizens from emergency housing. Expenses for completing the construction of problematic facilities and payments to defrauded shareholders have been increased. Work continued on modernization of communal infrastructure region.

Investments in Agriculture amounted to almost three billion rubles. New areas of support for agricultural producers have emerged.

To finance activities in the field ecology 3.6 billion rubles were received. These funds are aimed at implementing the regional project “Clean Air”, eliminating unauthorized landfills, creating and developing infrastructure for eco-tourism, and cleaning up the Miass River in Chelyabinsk.

From the regional budget, 127 billion rubles were transferred to municipalities in 2023.

“In order to strengthen the revenue base of the territories and create financial conditions for resolving issues of local importance, in 2023 the amount of the additional standard for deductions from personal income tax, which is transferred to municipalities, was increased from 15% to 17%.– reminded Anton Prygunov. – If we also take into account this decision, then assistance to the territories only for the fulfillment of municipal powers last year amounted to 79.4 billion rubles and increased by 2.9 billion rubles compared to 2022“

Above-plan revenues made it possible to cope with the budget deficit without attracting commercial loans and to create a certain safety cushion for the future. The regional budget surplus (the excess of revenues over expenses) amounted to 6.4 billion rubles. The Chelyabinsk region was among 32 regions of the country that ended the year with a surplus.

The low debt burden on the budget has also been maintained – 22% of own income. As a result, according to the Russian Ministry of Finance and the ACRA rating agency, the Chelyabinsk region is among the regions with high debt sustainability and a low level of risks for the regional budget. At the same time, the region still remains among the top ten regions with the highest ACRA credit rating.

Thus, the result of the region’s budget policy in 2023 was the preservation of financial stability. “Thanks to the income received, we not only coped with the initially accepted deficit, but also created a reserve for the current year, which allows the region today to feel more confident and solve newly emerging problems“, summed up the first deputy minister.

Deputies of the Legislative Assembly supported the bill “On the execution of the regional budget for 2023.”

“As in previous years, the governor and government of the Chelyabinsk region ensured that the budget was implemented in an optimal manner. Much has been done to develop priority social sectors. All obligations were fulfilled on time and in full“- noted the first deputy chairman of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Budget and Taxes Yuri Karlikanov.

Let us remind you that earlier the report on the execution of the regional budget for 2023 was approved by the government of the Chelyabinsk region, went through a public discussion procedure in the regional parliament, and was posted on the ZSO website. Anyone could send their proposals on the draft law by email.