Imsil-gun Finalizes Next Year's Budget at 454.3 Billion Won

Sim Min, Imsil County Governor

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Nosik] On the 22nd, Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk announced that the next year's budget of 454.3 billion won, focused on strengthening agricultural competitiveness and promoting welfare by social class, was confirmed through the resolution of the county council.

This is an increase of 17.9 billion won (4.10%) compared to this year's main budget of 436.4 billion won.

By account, the general account increased by 25.3 billion won (6.30%) from this year to 426.3 billion won, while other special accounts decreased by 7.4 billion won (20.86%) to 28 billion won.

Although the ordinary local allocation tax decreased by 8.6% compared to the initial budget this year due to the government's domestic tax reduction caused by COVID-19, local taxes and non-tax revenues increased by 2.3 billion won and national and provincial subsidies increased by 17.7 billion won through active tax revenue discovery and efforts to secure national and provincial funds.

By sector, the amounts are as follows: agriculture, forestry, marine and fisheries sector 102.4 billion won (22.54%), social welfare sector 80.4 billion won (17.70%), environment sector 66.3 billion won (14.59%), land and regional development sector 44.4 billion won (9.77%), culture and tourism sector 28.2 billion won (6.22%).

Emphasis was placed on meticulous budget allocation across various fields including strengthening agricultural competitiveness, customized welfare promotion by social class, environment, and culture and tourism sectors.

Major investment projects include 5.5 billion won for the development of basic living bases in Gwanchon, Seongsu, Sinpyeong, and Jisa-myeon to strengthen rural hub competitiveness; 3.2 billion won for the creation of Imsil Bonghwang Ecological Park; 1.7 billion won for the remodeling of rural living conditions in Galma, Yeonhwa, and Balsan districts; 2.5 billion won for the Jeonbuk-type urban regeneration New Deal project in Imsil Seongga district; and 1.5 billion won for the Osu district urban regeneration recognition project.

To promote the premium branding of Imsil Cheese, budgets were allocated as follows: 2.4 billion won for the establishment of the 3rd phase Imsil Cheese Food Cluster; 2.2 billion won for the development of the Imsil Cheese Theme Park as a representative tourist destination; 2 billion won for the construction of the Imsil Cheese History and Culture Center; 1.7 billion won for the creation of a parking lot at the Imsil Cheese Theme Park; and 1 billion won for the establishment of the Imsil N Cheese Rural Theme Park.

Projects to build ecological tourism infrastructure at Okjeongho and Seongsusan include: 2.2 billion won for the construction of access and connecting roads to the Seomjingang Eco Museum; 700 million won for the 2nd phase of the Seomjingang Eco Museum; 1 billion won for the creation of the Okjeongho Water Culture Trail; 1.8 billion won for the creation of Taejo Hope Forest; 800 million won for the development of the Seongsusan King's Forest Ecotourism Site; 1.5 billion won for the supplementation of Seongsusan Natural Recreation Forest; and 200 million won for the installation of forest leisure sports facilities in Seongsusan.

Projects to expand living SOC include: 4.7 billion won for the construction of Imsil and Osu Happiness Nuri Centers; 1.2 billion won for the creation of a park golf course in Imsil-gun; 1.1 billion won for the construction of the Gwanchon Sports and Culture Center; 1 billion won for the remodeling of Imsil Jeil Theater; 800 million won for the construction of a multipurpose gymnasium in Imsil-gun; 600 million won for the construction of the Jeonbuk International Archery Training Center; and 400 million won for the construction of the Imsil-gun Comprehensive Gymnasium.

Additionally, to foster the companion animal industry, budgets were allocated as follows: 2 billion won for the construction of a companion animal support center; 500 million won for the creation of a public animal burial facility; and 5 billion won for the development of the Osu 2nd Agricultural Industrial Complex.

For the activation of regional specialized industries, projects include: 2.3 billion won for the Rural New Vitality Plus project; 600 million won for the creation of Pilbong Pungmul Folk Village; 400 million won for the value creation project of Imsil Sunchang lacquer fermented foods; and 300 million won for the advancement of regional specialized industries.

County Governor Shim Min said, "The 2021 budget was prepared focusing on overcoming the COVID-19 crisis together with the residents and recovering the difficult local economy," and added, "We will operate county administration quickly, fairly, and transparently to maximize fiscal effects without leaving any sector behind."