- The health crisis which shut down the seaside resort for two months has left its mark. Its mayor estimates the dry losses at six million euros.
- “All of the municipalities in France have been affected. But those who live mainly from tourism, much more », underlines Stéphan Rossignol.
- The municipality has planned an economy plan and will use its savings to make up for this deficit. But excluded from postponing major works or increasing the tax burden.
With the deconfinement, the reopening of beaches, campsites or restaurants, La Grande Motte is breathing a little better. But the health crisis linked to the coronavirus which shut down the seaside resort for two months has left its mark. "Between the shortfall and the amount of aid released, it is a dead loss of six million euros for our town," says its mayor, Stéphan Rossignol (LR).
An abyss for a municipality whose main budget amounts to 26 million euros, 50 million if we add the management of all municipal structures. “All of the municipalities in France have been affected. But those who live mainly from tourism, much more », continues the mayor.
The casino, 100,000 euros of lost taxes per week for the town
The absence of revenue related to parking, tourist tax (the main hotels, such as the Mercure or the Novotel will only reopen on July 1), the closure of the Palais des Congrès or the cancellation of all events , weighs heavily in this addition. Just like the maintenance of the municipal golf course or the loss of taxes on the games that the city touches on the casino's revenues. "Or about 100,000 euros lost per week," continues Stéphan Rossignol.
In addition to these dry losses, there is aid for trade: the exemption over the year from terrace rights, in particular. “Significant support from the city for the economic recovery of these establishments, which lost all revenue for two months. "We missed the entire pre-season and the first month of the season," notes Jacques Mestre, president of the Union of Trades of Industries and Hotel Industry in Hérault. He estimates "between 20 to 30% the loss of turnover in 2020, provided that the activity resumes normally. What is lost cannot be made up ”.
Aid to traders
The city of La Grande Motte has also decided to exempt part of their fee from concessionaires of private beaches (which bring 900,000 euros a year to the municipality): up to 100% for the months of April to June, then a reduction in charges for the following.
To make up for these losses, it will draw on its savings, achieve economies of scale, limit communication costs and postpone purchases. But there is no question of postponing the major works which must mark the mandate: the city-port project and the seafront. “From the start of the crisis, the State asked us not to question these essential construction sites for the local economy. Nor to increase the taxation. "We voted the rates, they are similar to those of last year", concludes the councilor, also widely re-elected in the first round in March.
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