Municipal Council 10 June 2026

Tiia Ruskavuori requests resignation from membership in the welfare and vitality committee, as she has been elected as vice-chairperson of the audit committee. The resignation is necessary, since the audit committee's task is to evaluate the municipality's operations independently, and its member cannot simultaneously sit on the committee being evaluated. The council is proposed to grant the resignation and elect a new member to the welfare and vitality committee for the remaining term. The matter is proposed to be implemented immediately after the decision.

The municipal board proposes to the municipal council for approval amendments to the 2026 budget, which mainly concern additional costs for education and instruction. The largest changes are a proposed additional appropriation of 610,000 euros for personnel costs and 550,000 euros for early childhood education service voucher costs. The municipality's income statement annual margin would weaken by approximately 0.3 million euros to 3.3 million euros as a result of the changes. Additionally, the investment section proposes an increase of 1.5 million euros for land acquisition and 140,000 euros for the purchase of Nurmi school's leased building.

The municipal council is presented with the Lempäälä village program for 2026-2029 for approval, which is part of implementing the municipal strategy "Lempäälä close to you". The program proposes concrete measures for developing and maintaining the vitality of villages, focusing on four strategic objectives: encouraging active citizenship, strengthening village communities, quality education, and building a pleasant living environment. The program has been prepared in extensive cooperation with residents, villagers and various stakeholders through, among other things, a strategy tour, resident survey and village evening.

The municipal board proposes that the council approve Lempäälä's first vitality program for 2026-2029, which has been prepared to implement the new municipal strategy "Lempäälä lähelläsi". The program includes concrete measures aimed at attracting new residents, visitors and businesses, as well as comprehensively strengthening the municipality's economy. The total cost of the program is estimated at 13.4 million euros, with the largest portions allocated to the development of the Sääksjärvi area (7.1 million euros) and the acquisition of land for business and industrial plots (4.5 million euros). The program has been prepared in extensive cooperation with residents, businesses and stakeholders.

The municipal council is presented with the final report on the four key projects of Lempäälä's previous municipal strategy (2022-2030) for information. The key projects were "Attach yourself to your municipality", "Energy and climate sense", "Best workplace", and "Lempäälä housing fair 2026", the implementation of which has been monitored regularly. When the municipality approved a new strategy for 2026-2035 in December 2025, it was considered appropriate to compile a summary of the results of the previous projects. The report provides an overview of how the strategic objectives were achieved during the previous strategy period.

The municipal board proposes that the council approve the budget framework for 2027 and the financial plan for 2027-2029. Tax and state subsidy revenues are forecast to weaken, and the municipality's operational result would remain 5-6 million euros negative annually, which means significant deterioration of the economy. To achieve sustainable finances, it is proposed to launch an action program aimed at improving the municipality's annual result by at least 5 million euros. The program concerns all service areas and seeks to find a balance between taxation, service level, and investments.

The council is requested to decide on the approval of the 2025 financial statements of Tampere Urban Area Joint Authority and the granting of discharge from liability. The joint authority's audit committee has reviewed the financial statements and recommends their approval as well as granting discharge from liability to the persons responsible for administration. The fiscal year resulted in a surplus of 85,293 euros, which is proposed to be transferred to the equity account. The decision must be made by the end of June in accordance with the Local Government Act.

Tyyne-Katariina Vuorenmaa (VAS) requests resignation from all her positions of trust for personal reasons. The municipal council is proposed to grant the resignation, as she serves as a deputy councilor and deputy member of the community board. If the resignation is granted, Carlos Martinez Tommola will replace Vuorenmaa as the 3rd deputy councilor for the Left Alliance according to the order confirmed by the central election board. At the same time, a supplementary election must be organized for the position of deputy member of the community board.

The municipal council is presented with the municipality's mid-year budget review for approval, which reports how the budget has been implemented by the end of April. In the review, different service areas and subsidiaries report both on their spending and on achieving the set targets. The municipal board has already processed the matter and unanimously recommends approval of the review. Monitoring of mid-year reviews is an important part of the municipality's financial management and helps ensure that the municipality stays within its budget framework.

The municipal board proposes that the council approve new administrative regulations, which would enter into force on August 1, 2026. The current administrative regulations will be completely renewed to correspond to current legislation and the municipality's current operations. The aim of the reform is to clarify responsibilities and authority, streamline decision-making, and eliminate overlaps in municipal operations. The reform does not directly affect residents' services, but focuses on improving the functionality of administration and decision-making.

The municipal council is presented with a decision on Lempäälä municipality's responsible leadership program for the years 2026-2029. The program implements the municipal strategy objectives in four areas: responsible employment, continuous development of services, responsible ownership, and sustainable economy. The program has been prepared in extensive cooperation with the parliamentary steering group appointed by the municipal council, municipal staff, and residents. The estimated total costs for implementing the program are approximately 540,000 euros over four years, with the largest investments directed towards developing data-driven management and communications.

The audit committee has prepared an evaluation report for 2025, which assesses whether the operational and financial objectives set by the council were achieved in the municipality and its subsidiaries. The committee proposes that the report be approved and sent to the council for information. It is proposed to the council that it take note of the evaluation report as part of its statutory supervisory task.

The municipal council is proposed to approve Lempäälä municipality's wellbeing report for 2025, which is a statutory annual report on the state of residents' wellbeing and implemented measures. The report compiles information on the wellbeing of Lempäälä residents under seven themes, such as promoting participation, substance abuse work, mobility and safety. Lempäälä's wellbeing work has produced results - the municipality's wellbeing coefficient is the second best in Pirkanmaa and the municipality receives 588,500 euros in additional funding from the state for its wellbeing work. Approval of the report enables the continuation of wellbeing planning work and the efficient allocation of resources to matters important to residents.

The municipal council is presented with the Lempäälä municipality's personnel report for 2025 for information. The report describes a year of significant changes, during which a new organizational structure and job evaluation system were implemented. Staff turnover decreased significantly and workplace well-being survey results improved, although sick leave absences increased slightly. The report shows that the set personnel objectives were achieved and Lempäälä maintained its position as an attractive employer.

The municipal board proposes to the council the approval of the 2025 annual financial statements. Lempäälä's population grew by 182 residents to 25,036, but unemployment rose from 7.4 percent to 8.2 percent. The municipality's operating margin deteriorated by 2.1 million euros and was 74.9 million euros in deficit, mainly due to increased labor market support costs and new employment sector service costs. The financial statements include the balance sheet, income statement, and annual report, which provide a comprehensive view of the municipality's financial situation in 2025.