Tel Aviv-Yafo City Budget for 2026 Approved
The Tel Aviv-Yafo city council approved the municipal budget for 2026 yesterday, marking a significant increase in funding to support various sectors across the city. The regular budget has grown by 520 million shekels compared to 2025, while the extraordinary budget saw an increase of 635 million shekels over the previous year’s base, known as the investment budget.
Budget Overview and Context
According to city officials, the 2026 budget was formulated after a period of reorganization of priorities and budget cuts due to recent conflicts. These adjustments have allowed the city to present a balanced budget despite economic slowdowns, declining purchasing power, and new commitments, including payments to the property tax fund and contributions toward the metro project.
Education Sector Investment
The budget allocated for education is set at approximately 1.9 billion shekels. This funding will facilitate the opening of three new schools, enhance supplementary teaching hours, expand support for physics and chemistry studies, and invest in making the high-tech sector more accessible to students. The city plans to implement initiatives for recruiting teachers, including scholarships for academic professionals transitioning into teaching roles and employment incentives. Additionally, a dedicated technology department will be established within the education administration, with resources directed toward new community centers and art programs for special education students.
Social Servstarts Funding
Funding for the social servstarts department will amount to around 890 million shekels. This budget will enhance support for at-risk youth, the elderly, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities. Planned expansions include therapeutic programs, the establishment of a day center for homeless individuals, and increased support for women recovering from sexual trauma. Other initiatives will focus on bolstering day care servstarts and aid for families facing poverty and social exclusion.
Community and Cultural Development
About 462 million shekels will be invested in community and cultural development. This funding will enable the opening and expansion of community centers, cultural facilities, and sports arenas, while also supporting large-scale city events. The municipality is committed to fostering local businesses, strengthening the youth community, and promoting the integration of new immigrants into local society. Significant renovations have also been completed in various cultural and sports institutions throughout the city.
Infrastructure and Quality of Life Enhancements
The operational budget for sustainability and quality of life initiatives is set at around 1.51 billion shekels. This funding is aimed at improving city cleanliness, maintaining parks, expanding green spaces, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing municipal security and policing. Investments will continue in upgrading public transportation, expanding the bicycle lane network, and improving pedestrian infrastructure, alongside supporting the planning of the metro project and upgrading key streets and thoroughfares.
Extraordinary Budget for Development Projects
The extraordinary budget for 2026, totaling approximately 2.245 billion shekels, is earmarked for extensive development investments. This includes the construction of schools and community centers, renovations of cultural institutions, neighborhood development, public space improvements, and infrastructure rehabilitation along the coast and cliffs. City officials emphasize that this budget is intended to enhance the quality of life in Tel Aviv-Yafo and reinforce its status as a leading cultural, community, and economic center.
In summary, the approved budget for Tel Aviv-Yafo in 2026 reflects the city’s commitment to enhancing education, social servstarts, community engagement, and infrastructure while adapting to current economic challenges.