The municipal council of Arzal, France, convened on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to approve the single financial statements, which detail all expenditures and revenues for the 2025 fiscal year. The results reveal a complex financial picture, with a surplus in operating activities offset by a deficit in investment.
For Arzal, the 2025 operating section showed a surplus of €377,199. However, the investment section registered a deficit of €677,328, primarily due to delayed receipt of subsidies for the Forge project. This shortfall in funding for the Forge renovations significantly impacted the overall investment balance.
Cumulatively, the municipality reports an operating surplus of €832,126, but a combined investment deficit of €203,938. This suggests a pattern of consistent operating efficiency coupled with reliance on external funding for larger capital projects.
Wetland Inventory Project Initiated
In a separate but related matter, the council formally approved a wetland inventory project, entrusting the task to the HydroConcept consulting firm via a resolution passed on December 11, 2025. This initiative is crucial for understanding and managing the area’s natural resources, and requires the formation of a working group comprised of local stakeholders.
Mayor Samuel Féret emphasized the working group’s dual role: “Firstly, to establish a link between the study and the local population. Secondly, to share their knowledge of the territory in order to refine the preliminary identification of potentially wetland areas.” The inventory aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the location and characteristics of wetlands within the municipality.
The working group includes representatives from key sectors. Agricultural interests are represented by Sylvain Tabart, Michel Lévesque, Didier Le Pallec, and Serge Brassebin. Thierry Besnard, Jean-Luc Olivier, and Gérard Le Claire represent fishing and hunting communities. Jean-Pierre Le Ray, a municipal agent, also participates, alongside Émilien Barussaud and Jacqueline Mollé from environmental protection organizations, Anne Le Normand representing Eaux & Vilaine, and Mayor Féret and Deputy Antoine Rullière.
The project is structured around three planned meetings scheduled to take place between February and December 2026. This timeline suggests a relatively rapid assessment process, indicating a sense of urgency in understanding the municipality’s wetland resources.
Forge Project and Insurance
Addressing the ongoing renovations at the Forge building, the council approved the procurement of a dommage ouvrage (works damage insurance) policy. This type of insurance is mandatory in France for construction projects and provides pre-financing for repairs in the event of defects covered by the ten-year warranty, ultimately seeking recourse from the responsible contractors and their insurers.
Three insurance companies were contacted, but only SMACL submitted a proposal, totaling €16,739 including VAT. The lack of competitive bids raises questions about the availability of this type of insurance for projects of this scale, or potentially the specific risks associated with the Forge renovation.
Port Parking Solar Canopy Completion Imminent
Finally, Mayor Féret announced that the installation of photovoltaic canopies over the port parking area is expected to be completed by the end of March 2026. This project represents a commitment to renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, and will likely provide shaded parking for port users.
The financial implications of the port parking project were not detailed in the provided information, but the completion of the solar canopy installation suggests a continued investment in environmentally friendly initiatives within the municipality of Arzal.
