Financial trouble for Østfold and Buskerud after the Viken split

– We have to cut 7 percent of our operating expenses, says county mayor Tore Opdal Hansen (H) in Buskerud to Everything.

There are several reasons why new Buskerud is struggling financially, according to the niche newspaper. Among other things, they only get 86 per cent of the average for the other county municipalities through the state’s new revenue system for the counties.

The county mayor has sent a letter to the municipal minister regarding the very difficult financial situation in Buskerud following the division of Viken. His colleague in the new Østfold county has done the same.

– We are in the same situation as Buskerud. In the financial plan we laid out in December last year, a savings package of around DKK 200-300 million was adopted in the financial period in order to get the income to meet the expenses, says county mayor Sindre Martinsen-Evje (Ap).

– There are dramatic cuts in operations. A reduction of 8 percent from the 2023 Viken level.

On Tuesday, the government will present both the revised national budget and the municipal bill, with the financial plan for municipalities and county municipalities for next year. In addition, the government presents proposals for a new income system for the municipalities.