Jyväskylä City Council holds a crucial budget debate tonight. Members will discuss next year's finances and decide on selling the majority stake in Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences to the University of Jyväskylä.
The final budget decision comes on November 24. Tonight's preliminary debate reveals party positions on required changes. Council members will argue for adjustments in funding or policy wording.
City Manager Timo Koivisto's budget proposal forms the discussion basis. His October proposal differs from committee suggestions in two key areas.
The plan completely removes 875,000 euros in high school funding. It also adds 200,000 euros for communications. Koivisto defended cutting school support by noting the city's deficit budget shouldn't support Gradia, which runs a surplus.
Jyväskylä faces nearly 10 million euros in deficit next year according to the proposal.
The council also decides tax rates today. Officials propose keeping income tax at 8.1 percent.
Local governments across Finland face tough choices as education funding shrinks. Cutting support to profitable institutions while maintaining city services shows the delicate balance municipalities must strike.