According to sources, Tromsø municipality has not yet delivered its accounts for 2025. The municipality is at risk of ending up on the ROBEK list, which would mean the County Governor takes over control of its financial dispositions. Its annual accounts for 2025 show a thundering deficit that could send it straight onto the list, with the municipality having spent 66 million kroner more than it had coverage for. To address this, Tromsø must lay off 200 employees. The exact date when Tromsø will finally deliver its accounts remains unknown, as do the specific measures and timeline to avoid the ROBEK list.
The financial crisis in Tromsø has sparked political reactions. Ola Svenneby, the Conservative Party deputy leader, claimed that of the 15 largest municipalities in the country, the one governed by the Labour Party (Tromsø) is running with a thundering deficit, while the 14 municipalities where the Conservative Party has the mayor are now running with a surplus. In response, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that this is typical Conservative work for the deputy leader, adding that the restructuring in Tromsø is underway and he has full confidence it will be sorted out. Støre also noted that companies in Troms are the most optimistic in the entire country, according to fresh figures from NHO. Meanwhile, Markus Akselbo of the Conservative Party will ask Tromsø Mayor Gunnar Wilhelmsen to provide ongoing updates on the economy at every executive board meeting going forward, with the question raised at this week's municipal council meeting on Wednesday, April 15. Akselbo will also ask that the municipal council soon be given authority for layoffs and increased savings requirements beyond the 2026 budget framework.
I think it is very criticizable that it is only Tromsø of all the country's city municipalities that has not managed to deliver accounts for 2025. Especially when we have the question of ROBEK hanging over us, says Akselbo.
In a separate development, Bø municipality in Vesterålen is facing severe economic challenges. Its preliminary accounts for 2025 show a deficit of 53.8 million kroner last year. The municipality has used up its disposal fund. Sources report that Bø municipality has taken out loans to pay salaries, including a 30 million kroner loan last year and a new 40 million kroner loan now. The total amount of debt accumulated from these loans remains unknown.
Bø municipality's past financial decisions have contributed to its current woes. It lowered its wealth tax to 0.2 percent in 2019. The municipality ended up on the ROBEK list in 2024 for not submitting its accounts on time.
The municipality has never been further away from the mayor's statements that he had economic overview and his promises to gain control of the economy before the last municipal election, thunders Akselbo.
I have not received the numbers on the accounts. I have only received a presentation that the municipal director and her staff had before the weekend. Then it is difficult to stand and answer any questions, he says to NRK.
It was the reason why I thought that the municipal director should take the talk on Politisk kvarter instead of me. It was based on that maybe the municipal director or her staff had the numbers. I see in hindsight that I could have attended.
But I of course take political responsibility for the situation, I do that to the highest degree.
It should have been clear at the end of February, and that we are now in April is not good enough.