INFRA asked the readers of its newsletter for feedback on its municipal election messages (www.infra.fi/resepti). There weren't many answers, but they were all the better.
Almost all of the 22 respondents to the survey identified the municipal development targets highlighted by INFRA as important for their home municipality as well.
A little less than half of the respondents believed that when social security matters are transferred to the provinces, the importance of municipal finance will be emphasized, and municipal decision-makers will finally be interested in the importance of technical measures for the municipal economy and the vitality of the municipality. Just as many complained that it will be even more difficult for municipalities to implement and finance large infrastructure investments in the future.
Confidence in the attractiveness of municipal politics seems to have been preserved. Only four respondents believed that in the future everyone will only aspire to the provincial trust bodies, and there will be no responsibility bearers in the municipalities.
There was enough good advice for municipalities
About half of the respondents worked either in the municipality or the state, and the rest mainly in companies. Based on the answers, excellent consultants and visionaries can be found in all sectors: as many as 16 respondents were eager to prepare their own recovery recipe for the municipality that was in financial distress.
"Asset management should now be raised as an important priority at the latest. With effective asset management, more effective measures can be taken to maintain an 'adequate' infrastructure condition. This way, maintaining a fitness facility works more cost-effectively. It's already time to throw the 'old tried and true' methods from the golden 80s into the scrap heap", one respondent said.
"We are not looking for the fastest profit, but steady well-being in the long term. No community has ever been destroyed because the members were too healthy and educated and the environment too healthy and functional," added another.
"It depends a little on the size of the municipality and how bad the economy of the municipality is. If at all possible, the municipality should promote getting work orders from companies operating in its area. Debt-based infrastructure investments are one way to do this, but you need to be careful here. One could also think critically, and on the one hand, without prejudice, whether the current indirect support of private cars is always in the interest of the municipalities. Infra pays, immobility has its health effects and through this effect e.g. to the number of clients of the health center, and the money used for the purchase and use of the car very rarely stays with the municipality", reflected the third.
Entrepreneurs out
Many respondents urged to make more use of private operators instead of persevering on their own. Certain functions can easily be outsourced. Better planning of procurements and providing opportunities for more factors, which was on INFRA's list, also came to the fore.
In the responses, municipalities were expected to do more to develop vitality and promote entrepreneurship, as well as increasing residents' independence. Proactive cooperation with other municipalities was also hoped for long before the forced mergers, as well as the use of digitalization, for example, in up-to-date information for the municipalities. For the management of the municipality, experts who understand the whole were wanted instead of populist politicians.
One of his internal consultants found you out the hard way: "We need to switch to business world thinking. A savings bonus system will be introduced to encourage real savings. This can be applied to both construction and maintenance."
The nihilist's answer came at the end: "Many municipalities are in such a terminal stage that nothing can be done. If I knew, I'd probably be some sort of municipal politician."
The respondents also sent various greetings to INFRA ry, which have been forwarded to the personnel. Especially the "Infrastructure for Dummies" cards were put behind the ear.
Victory for Turku
A Lego Technic Volvo EW160E excavator was drawn among all respondents. Onni fired someone working in the city of Turku Risto from Antto.
At Kauhatolku, good luck to Risto and warm thanks to everyone who answered the survey!
Read INFRA's newsletters >
Check out INFRA's municipal election messages >