Municipal Council November 26, 2025

The municipal council approved the zoning program for 2026, which guides the municipality's zoning priorities and schedules. The program divides zoning projects into two groups: Group A includes the most important plans that promote business activities or produce a significant number of new housing units, and Group B includes projects to be implemented if resources permit. After voting, the Lehtivuori detailed plan was moved from the most urgent Group A to Group B by a vote of 26-17. The program particularly focuses on housing zoning in station areas and along public transport routes.

The municipal council updates the depreciation plan for fixed assets, which determines how the municipality's properties and equipment are recorded as expenses during their useful life. The biggest change concerns administrative and institutional buildings, whose depreciation period will be extended from 20 years to 25 years, meaning that the value of buildings will be reduced in the income statement more slowly than before. The change will significantly reduce annual depreciation in the municipality's income statement, which will improve financial indicators. The new depreciation plan will be implemented from the beginning of 2026 and will also affect existing buildings.

The municipal council approves the budget for 2026 and the financial plan for 2026-2028, where the 2026 budget is exceptionally tight with a deficit of 3.7 million euros. The deficit is mainly due to one-time factors: weakening tax revenue forecasts, incorporation of properties to be leased to the wellbeing services county, and the costs of organizing the 2026 housing fair. However, the economy is expected to improve rapidly, as the deficit will decrease to 0.4 million euros in 2027 and the municipality will already achieve a surplus of 1.1 million euros in 2028. The municipality's long-term goal is to increase basic service expenditures more slowly than tax revenue growth, thereby stopping the increase in debt and restoring economic balance.

The municipal council decided to launch the major renovation of Hakkari School for 2026-2027, as the school has experienced indoor air problems and microbial damage in exterior wall structures. In spring 2025, indoor air symptoms increased significantly in different parts of the school, and conducted studies revealed air leaks and deficiencies in rainwater management. The school, completed in 1983, currently has 495 students and is one of Lempäälä's three secondary schools. The major renovation is necessary to ensure the continuation of the school's operations and to safeguard student health.

The municipal council received two council initiatives. The first, submitted by Hanna Kairimo and 42 other councilors, concerns investigating early youth work resources for 10-13-year-old residents of Lempäälä. The second initiative from Jani Saikoski and 28 other councilors proposes reducing ultra-processed food in municipal daycare centers and schools. Both initiatives were sent to the municipal board for preparation, and they must be processed within 8 months.

The municipal council approved amendments to the budget made for the current year, which are primarily due to actual expenditures and revenues deviating from the original estimates. The most significant changes concern appropriations for education and teaching services as well as employment and integration services. The tax revenue estimate was reduced by one million euros, but on the other hand, land sale profits were higher than expected, so these funds can be used to acquire additional strategically important land areas. As a result of the changes, the municipality's deficit will increase to approximately 3 million euros for the current year.

The municipal board unanimously approved a council motion proposing systematic improvement of municipal building maintenance. The municipality of Lempäälä owns over 100 properties and the estimated maintenance backlog is approximately 25 million euros. The municipality's growing population and new investments have reduced maintenance appropriations, which is why a more systematic approach to building maintenance is needed. The municipality is acquiring a new property management system that will facilitate the mapping of repair needs and long-term planning.

The municipal board has referred a motion signed by 32 councilors to the community board for investigation in cooperation with Lempäälän Kehitys Oy. The motion proposes that the municipality's tourism and recreational areas such as Haljastennokka, Puntala, Mäyriä and Salonsaari should be mapped and developed as a whole instead of the current fragmented approach. The objective is to investigate the basic information of the areas and involve residents, associations and businesses in the development planning of the areas. The initiators emphasize that especially unique places like Mäyriä should be planned carefully for the benefit of all residents.

Municipal Manager Noora Pajari presented the Pirkanmaa prison project to the council members. The council noted the presentation for information, but no actual decisions regarding the project were made at this meeting.

The municipal board sent the council motion on strengthening youth work with the help of school attendance supervisors to the education board and the community board for preparation. The boards determined that approximately 120 permanent supervisors work in the municipality, who are offered work during holidays from early childhood education and other services - there has been no need for layoffs. Visitor numbers at youth facilities have been low during holidays, so there is no need for additional supervisor resources in traditional youth work. As an alternative, themed clubs and workshops at schools as well as outreach to areas favored by young people are proposed.

The municipal council decides on new fee principles for environmental protection, which concern two new permit types. In the future, the municipality will also collect fees for permits under the Off-Road Traffic Act (e.g., competitions for motor vehicles in terrain) and permits under the Water Traffic Act. The fees are based on legislation and cover the actual costs arising from processing, following the same principles as current environmental permit fees. The Community Board will approve the exact fee amounts later in a separate tariff.