The municipal group of Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) in the Paeria de Balaguer has formally presented a motion to urge the immediate modification of Fiscal Ordinance number 13, which regulates the municipal waste management fee. The initiative stems from resident complaints regarding letters sent by the municipal government imposing a flat charge of 139.04 euros on owners of closed premises, land with small structures, farmhouses, and scattered dwellings without economic activity.
Republican councilor Kevin Bruque argues that this situation has disproportionate effects and contradicts the principle of 'polluter pays'. Bruque indicates that it is not appropriate for a small private garage, intended for three or four vehicles, or land without direct access to the public road to be taxed in the same way as a large-capacity car park or a space linked to economic activity. Therefore, they urge the municipal government to suspend the application of this charge and to refund the new amounts collected this year.
ERC proposes a proportional and simplified tax for private-use spaces without economic activity: €16.63 for undeveloped land (less than 50 m² and without public road access); €33.27 for small garages, premises, or warehouses (up to 4 vehicles or 50 m²); €66.53 for medium-sized ones (4 to 10 vehicles or up to 250 m²); and €133.06 for large ones (more than 10 vehicles or over 250 m²).
Regarding farmhouses and scattered dwellings outside the urban center, ERC requests linking the payment to the existence of a real collection service or an accessible contribution point. They propose a fee of €0.00 for buildings without this service, which are not primary residences, and where the owner already pays for waste collection in Balaguer, thus avoiding unjustified double charges. For second homes for recreational use without effective service, a fee of €65.40 is proposed, while farmhouses with economic activity, rural tourism, or rentals will be taxed according to the ordinance.
Finally, the ERC motion urges the municipal government to establish a simple procedure for taxpayers to easily prove the surface area, capacity, actual use, lack of activity, or effective service without bureaucratic hurdles. The objective is to introduce more objective and understandable criteria, with sufficient time for the ordinance modification to take effect on January 1, 2027.
