This total figure is also equivalent to the expenses planned for the same period. Of this total amount, approximately 63% comes from the department’s own resources (about 15,194,630,195 UYU, ≈383.7 M USD) and the remaining 37% from transfers from the national government (9,054,642,865 UYU, ≈228.7 M USD). In other words, most of the budget is financed by local taxes (real estate contributions, patents, municipal taxes, etc.), while about a third comes from the national State.
The origins
Origin of total five-year income (UYU) Equiv. in USD
Departmental resources (own taxes) 15,194,630,195 ≈383.7 million
National resources (transfers) 9,054,642,865 ≈228.7 million
Total income 24,249,273,060 ≈612.0 million
Remunerations of the Mayor and mayors
The departmental Mayor will have a monthly salary of $527,299 UYU, that is, about 13,316 USD. Municipal mayors earn less, depending on the population “band” of each city. For example, the mayor of Carmelo (Strip 1) will earn $153,443 UYU per month (~3,875 USD). In cities in Strip 2 such as Rosario, Nueva Palmira, Juan Lacaze or Nueva Helvecia, the salary will be $146,772 (~3,706 USD).
In other locations such as Tarariras, La Paz or Ombúes de Lavalle (Strip 3) it is set at $140,100 (~3,538 USD), and in the smaller ones (Conchillas, Cufré, Miguelete, Strip 4) it is $133,429 (~3,369 USD).
In summary, monthly salaries vary more than four times between the Mayor and the mayors of the smallest municipalities:
Departmental Mayor 527,299 13,316 USD
Mayor of Carmelo (Strip 1) 153,443 3,875 USD
Mayor of Rosario (Strip 2) 146,772 3,706 USD
Mayor of Tarariras (Strip 3) 140,100 3,538 USD
Mayor of Conchillas (Strip 4) 133,429 3,369 USD
Source: Five-Year Budget Project 2026-2030, Article 35.
Five-year works plan (Colonia, Carmelo, Nueva Palmira)
The Municipality’s investment program includes key works for the main cities of the department.
In Carmelo, for example, it is finally planned to build a coastal promenade facing the river to connect the city with the river instead of turning away, in addition to paving the northern access with a new surface and illuminated sidewalks.
In Nueva Palmira, priority will be given to roofing and heating the municipal pool – a work long awaited by residents – thus continuing the plan to finish that sports facility.
In Colonia del Sacramento, the plan includes extending the double lane of Roosevelt Avenue (between Baltazar Brum and José Pedro Varela), a significant work that will improve the entrance through the port. The El General neighborhood will also be intervened (paving Fernando Carballo Avenue) and the fronton of the Real de San Carlos will be completed, continuing works started in the previous five years.
In all cases, the figures are large: for example, the Investment Expenses chapter accumulates $7,812,925,485 UYU in the five-year period (≈197 M USD), allocated to infrastructure, sanitation, road works and social equipment. These projects seek to translate the enormous departmental budget into tangible improvements for people’s daily lives.
The Territorial Distribution: The Municipalities
This is where local journalism puts the magnifying glass. The budget assigns specific items to the different municipalities, except for the departmental capital, which defines how much room for maneuver each locality will have:
Municipality Assigned Budget (2026)
Carmel $ 17,653,220
Juan Lacaze $ 15,545,926
New Helvecia $ 14,192,427
Rosary $ 14,078,291
New Palmira $ 13,784,814
Tarariras $ 13,064,084
Florencio Sánchez $ 10,125,441
Lavalle Ombúes $ 9,824,223
Valdense Colony $ 9,362,470
Miguelete $ 7,132,072
La Paz $5,903,623
Advertising and propaganda
A fact that always generates friction with the “citizen trenches” is how much power spends to talk about itself. For 2026, the Municipality has budgeted $44,887,481 in the area of Advertising and Propaganda. This represents an increase from the $40 million projected for 2025.
Where does the money come from?
The Municipality not only lives off the urban and rural contribution. There is a strong dependence on national transfers:
-National Origin: It is expected to receive $1,603,245,928 through article 214 of the Constitution.
-Interior Development Fund (FDI): Adds another $301,624,931 destined mainly for works.
Sources: Five-Year Budget Project 2026–2030 (Cologne Municipality).
All figures in Uruguayan pesos and in parentheses their equivalent in dollars at the official exchange rate (1 USD = 39.6 UYU).
