Oost Redirects 1.8 Million Euros From Community Centers to Road Repairs

At its July 7 regular meeting the Oost City Council passed Ordinance 47-2026 on a 7-4 vote, moving 1.8 million euros from the community services line to road resurfacing projects in the eastern wards.

The measure follows the city engineering department's March 2026 pavement condition survey, which rated 38 percent of streets in Districts 4 and 5 as poor or failed. Council members cited that report when they approved the transfer during the final budget amendment round.

Daily effects for residents

Commuters who use the eastern segment of Route 12 and the Van der Meerlaan will see crews begin milling and repaving in the first quarter of 2027, the public works schedule states. Residents in those blocks will also face temporary lane closures and detours during the six-month construction window. In the central wards the same ordinance reduces operating grants to three community centers by a combined 420,000 euros, trimming evening adult education classes and senior drop-in hours beginning in January.

Local advocates note that households without cars in Districts 1 and 2 rely on the centers for low-cost internet access and job-search workshops listed in the 2025 municipal services directory. The budget document does not specify replacement funding sources for those programs.

Budget figures and next steps

The 2025 city annual financial statement recorded total general-fund expenditures of 312 million euros, with 4.2 percent allocated to community services before the latest amendment. Ordinance 47-2026 takes effect on August 1, 2026, after which the finance department will issue revised quarterly spending plans to department heads.

City staff said they will hold two public information sessions on the road projects in September and will publish updated community-center schedules by December 15.