Harstad municipality projects 150 million kroner deficit but maintains politician salaries

Harstad municipality is facing significant financial challenges, projecting a deficit of 150 million kroner for 2024. Despite this precarious situation, there are no plans to reduce politicians’ salaries, which are already higher than in similar municipalities. Proposals to cut allowances for committee leaders and reduce the number of main committees from six to four have been rejected.

In an effort to save costs, the municipality has adopted differentiated rates for meeting allowances; however, this will not affect the rates for the municipal council and executive committee. The opposition party, Høyre, claims that their suggestions could have saved the municipality nearly 700,000 kroner.

Nina Dons-Hansen, a representative from Høyre, emphasized the need to reassess the high allowances for committee leaders, proposing a reduction to align with fewer meetings, which she estimated would save around 180,000 kroner. A review showed that committee leaders in Harstad earn considerably more than their counterparts in comparable municipalities.

In contrast, municipalities like Stjørdal have cut the number of committees without impacting decision-making, setting an example that Harstad currently does not follow. Stjørdal has moved from three to two main committees, with the mayor asserting that this promotes efficient governance.

While proponents for cuts in allowances claim that it is essential for transparency and financial responsibility, Harstad’s leadership remains committed to maintaining current compensation structures. The municipal council will ultimately decide on these financial strategies in a meeting scheduled for August 29.