on financial incentives for municipal mergers (DFusCom) (DFusCom)

1. The purpose of this decree is to establish the terms of the financial measures provided for in the law on municipal mergers [A].

1. Financial measures are disbursed in accordance with Articles 24 to 27 of the law on the merging of municipalities [A] and this decree.

2. The Council of State decides on the amount of financial measures disbursed.

1. Startup financial assistance is intended to cover up to half of the costs related to the merger study.

2. The joint request from the municipalities must be accompanied by a budget detailing the costs related to the merger study.

3. Startup assistance is capped as follows: - for two municipalities, it cannot exceed CHF 70,000; - this cap is increased by CHF 10,000 for each additional municipality; - in all cases, the assistance cannot exceed CHF 120,000.

4. The State Council makes its decision based on the budget proposal presented by the requesting municipalities. The startup assistance is only disbursed on the condition that the general/municipal councils have approved the credit request for the merger study.

5. The department determines the terms of disbursing this assistance, taking into account the needs of municipalities wishing to merge.

1. Financial incentives consist of an amount in francs per inhabitant of the merging communes. They are established as follows

a. when the average tax point value per inhabitant for the commune before the merger, calculated over the three calendar years preceding the vote on the merger, is at least 40% lower than the average tax point value per inhabitant for all communes over the same period, the amount is set at 450 francs;

b. when this average is at least 20% lower than the cantonal average, the amount is set at 350 francs;

c. in other cases, it is set at 250 francs.

2. A multiplying coefficient is applied to the amount of the financial incentive in accordance with Article 26 of the Municipal Mergers Act [A].

1. The department responsible for municipalities manages, controls, and monitors the fund intended for financing financial measures related to the mergers of municipalities.

2. The amount corresponding to the balance of the former fund intended for financially incentivizing the mergers of municipalities shall initially finance this fund.

3. This fund will be annually financed within the operational budget of the department responsible for municipalities.

1. This decree is valid for 10 years from its entry into force. Upon expiration, it is automatically renewed once for a duration of five years.

1. The startup aid requested pursuant to Article 2, paragraph 2 of the transitional provisions of the law of March 12, 2019, amending the law on municipal mergers is calculated based on the credit approved by the general/municipal councils. Furthermore, Article 3 applies.

1. The Council of State is responsible for the execution of this decree. It shall publish the text in accordance with Article 84, paragraph 1, letter a) of the cantonal Constitution and shall set, by order, the date of its entry into force.