New Year's Greeting

In a few words, I would like to summarise the year that is about to pass, as well as to talk about my feelings for the new year, a year I am confident will be characterised by challenging and successful projects and effective collaboration between individuals and companies within the municipality.

Looking back

 The year 2015 will always be remembered and marked by figures, analysis and operational audits. Work that, at the end of the year, results in a clear overview and understanding of the operational status of the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður. Furthermore, this work forms the foundation of a realistic and clear budget plan for the year ahead. A plan that will yield a surplus of more than 360 million. A plan which I believe that we, my fellow managers and employees, will manage to implement and thereby improve the operational status of the municipality. Increased working capital is a prerequisite to make it possible to reduce debt, and reducing municipal debt is a prerequisite for being able to plan and execute more and to build and improve the services provided. I prefer to look at Hafnarfjörður as a company, a major service company where I, as a manager, will like to ensure effective operational practices and focus on a good corporate culture and a good working atmosphere that will be reflected in the service provided to customers. In this case, the residents and the businesses that operate within the municipality, as well as guests and visitors who visit our town in greater numbers than ever before. We have already taken some steps in the right direction. We have mostly paid off all our foreign debt and a number of our major services have been auctioned, which will result in a substantial financial benefit in the coming year. Here I mention just a few examples.

Looking ahead

I fully believe that we all want to see Hafnarfjörður grow and flourish and become a good role model for other municipalities. This will be achieved through a concerted effort by all of us, positivity, and by looking at our local community with new opportunities and possibilities in mind. I myself promise to listen actively and assist with projects that align with the goals and policies of the municipality for even better service and a better town to live in. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful people who have voluntarily acted on and implemented honourable projects within the community. At the same time, I would like to thank all the wonderful people who work for the municipality of Hafnarfjörður for their professional work and contribution to the development work that has already taken place and will continue to do so in the new year. The future is bright, filled with old and new challenges, possibilities and tasks. I can surely say that I look forward to it.

May the new year bring me and my good colleagues more conversations with interesting and interested local people who have new ideas and see opportunities and potential in their local community, visits to companies here in Hafnarfjörður to gain a better overview of their activities and ambitions, interesting and fun projects and, above all, happy residents who care about their local community and neighbours.

May the new year bring us all happiness and good health.

Together, we will make Hafnarfjörður one of the best municipalities in Iceland!

 Haraldur L. Haraldsson, Mayor of Hafnarfjörður