Grenoble, property tax increases 25% to fund social projects. Including free museums

A substantial increase in municipal property tax to donate a major social investment plan to the city. That’s what the administration of Grenoble, France, announced a few days ago: part of the proceeds will also be used to make the city’s museums free of charge, as well as to take measures against climate change.

“To strengthen social and climate justice and protect people and the climate,” reads a statement released by the municipality detailing the initiatives, “Grenoble has chosen to increase by 25 percent its only tax lever, the municipal share of property tax. About 50 percent of the increased levy will be dedicated to a social and climate shield and an investment plan for tomorrow.” It is estimated that the increases will bring into the municipality’s coffers the sum of 44 million euros a year: half will be used to cope with inflation and increases in the cost of energy, while the remaining 50 percent will allow for strengthening the investment plan for the city’s future (about 12 million euros), enhancing public service and putting the social and climate shield into play (about 11 million euros).

The goal of this turnaround, the City Council states, is “to reduce inequality, stimulate empowerment, transform the city and prepare citizens for the mobility, health and food challenges of 2040. The Social and Climate Shield will enable concrete and ambitious action to strengthen local solidarity and public service in the face of crises. It will be implemented this year and will address the top three expenditure items of Grenoble residents, which are also the three main drivers of greenhouse gas emissions: housing and energy, mobility and public spaces, and food. Social justice measures related to empowerment and health will complement this shield.”

That of free museums is the first of the measures outlined in the plan. “Free admission promotes, for many, a sensitive encounter with art and culture”: this is the thesis of the city administration led by Mayor Éric Piolle, of the ecologist party Europe Écologie Les Verts. That is why the Natural History Museum, the Stendhal Museum and the permanent collections of the Musée de Grenoble will now be free for everyone, all year round. In addition, there will be discounts on admission fees to the local conservatory, full free admission on school supplies for school students will be introduced, and there will be resources for childcare associations. And then bike lanes will be increased, the reading plan will be strengthened in cooperation with the local library, there will be resources to boost green space and urban agriculture, and much more.

However, theopposition has expressed disagreement with this measure, partly in light of the fact that another nationally decided 7 percent increase in the tax base will have to be added to the 25 percent increase. The main opposition group, from the Nasa (Nouvel Air, Socialistes et Apparentés) civic list, issued a statement highlighting the risk of “weakening many Grenoble residents with few resources, retirees with modest pensions, but also the middle class.” This is “more than a 32 percent increase on Grenoble residents when the city is as indebted as it has ever been,” added, speaking to AFP, City Councilor Alain Carignon (Republicans), who called on residents to demonstrate against the increases decided by the City Council. The Nasa group has already announced several amendments to the plan, since “the residents of Grenoble already face serious financial and purchasing power-related difficulties, and among them are property owners.” The amendments, the group let it be known, will be directed primarily toward the goal of protecting the most fragile.

Image: a room at the Musée de Grenoble

Grenoble, property tax increases 25% to fund social projects. Including free museums

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