Fjarðabyggð for the future

Responsible financial management and continued operational restraint

The municipality's debt is still too high and interest payments are too high a percentage of expenses. We intend to continue paying down debt so that the funds can be used better within the municipality.

We continue to take action in our operations, prioritize projects, and demonstrate accountability. We must always cost projects and staff time.

Taxes reduced

We intend to reduce property taxes on residential properties immediately at the turn of the year. The municipality's good operations should be passed on to the residents. Rate increases will also be moderated.

Increased coordination of procurement and clearer procurement authorizations

We will coordinate municipal procurement, tighten procurement oversight, and ensure clear accountability to achieve better terms, increased transparency, and more targeted use of tax dollars.

More targeted monitoring of municipal projects

We will tighten project follow-up with clear contracts, regular monitoring and division of responsibilities, to ensure that projects remain within time and cost estimates. Rules for project completion will be established to ensure follow-up, improvements and completion.

Lower energy costs

Efforts will be made to reduce the municipality's energy costs through new and more efficient energy solutions. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of district heating systems, better energy efficiency in the municipality's properties, and other technological solutions that contribute to lower operating costs.

Open accounting implemented in 2026

The municipality's accounting system will be completed, which will provide residents with more transparency in the allocation of funds. We plan to complete this work as early as this year so that everyone can see where the money is going.

Prioritizing tasks

Based on employee turnover, projects and the organization of activities will be reviewed with the aim of utilizing human resources better, distributing projects more efficiently, and examining whether projects can be solved with a changed arrangement before re-hiring positions.

Simplified administration

Work will be done to simplify the municipality's administration and strengthen processes within it to further improve services to residents.

Development of the Mjóeyrarhafn port until 2040

Emphasis will be placed on the development of the Mjóeyrarhafn port and its tripling in accordance with a long-term plan until 2040 for the development of land and port facilities to meet the growing demand of the business community.

More diverse job opportunities

We intend to ensure a good supply of diverse job sites and active dialogue with interested parties who want to contribute to job creation in Fjarðabyggð We are going to do Fjarðabyggð to a sought-after location for the development of diverse economic activities and an ideal option for jobs without location.

Promoting tourism

We intend to work to strengthen tourism by continuing to develop destinations through projects such as the Destination Plan and the Tourist Destination Development Fund. A vision will be developed for the reception of cruise ships, marketing of the destination and important
development of port facilities to accommodate an increasing number of cruise ships.

Fjarðabyggð will be increasingly marketed as a year-round tourist destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, with an emphasis on the Oddsskarður ski area.

Increased cooperation between the municipality and the business community

Cluster cooperation between the municipality and the business community will be promoted in Fjarðabyggð and thus establish an active forum for consultation between the business community and the municipality on matters of interest related to society.

Agriculture and rural areas

We will continue to work towards a stable agricultural environment and protect valuable farmland. We will support recruitment and innovation in agriculture as much as possible and continue to ensure safe living in rural areas and the important services provided by the municipality there.

Port electrification

Fjarðabyggð will electrify ports to support energy transition, reduce emissions and improve the environment of port areas. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring the necessary infrastructure and facilities, while private enterprise and the business community will be involved in development and operation.

Oil Exploration Service Center

The municipality will continue to encourage oil exploration in the Dreki area and be prepared to support the development of services, port facilities and other infrastructure necessary to Fjarðabyggð can play a key role as a service center for activities related to the Dragon Area.

Harbours for the future

A feasibility study will be conducted to analyze its advantages and disadvantages, along with the necessary actions to make Fjarðabyggðarhafnir an independent company owned by the municipality.

Structure of functional resources

The municipality will, in collaboration with the business community, work to develop a variety of activity resources for individuals who are outside the labor market or need support for increased participation. The goal is to create more opportunities for activity, job training and community participation through close collaboration between the municipality, businesses and institutions.

Green energy park

The development of the Green Energy Park will continue in Fjarðabyggð The project has the potential to strengthen the municipality as one of the key centers of energy transition and new value creation in Iceland with an emphasis on sustainability, innovation and green economic development.

Safe preschool

We intend to ensure stable staffing and safe preschool attendance from the age of 12 months. We will continue with flexible attendance and lower fees for shorter periods of attendance. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring stable staffing, improving the preschool working environment and reducing the burden on staff. The goal is to create greater predictability for children and parents and reduce the number of registration days as circumstances allow.

Enhanced service

We intend to increase specialist services at pre-school and primary schools and further strengthen the continuity of services for children and young people in the spirit of integrated services for the well-being of children. We also intend to review and further improve services for disabled children, both inside and outside of school.

New education policy

We intend to work on a new education policy in consultation with society and education administrators. It is important to renew the policy and make it an action plan, among other things, to promote reading, mathematics and personalized learning. At the same time, we should examine ways to utilize technological solutions even better in school work and ensure regular renewal of equipment so that schools are equipped to utilize technology in school work.

Increased school collaboration

We will continue to further strengthen collaboration within school levels and between preschool and primary school levels. Collaboration between primary and secondary schools in innovation as well as industrial and technical subjects will also be increased. The combined music school in Fjarðabyggð will be further strengthened.

New sports center in Eskifjörður

Construction on a new sports center in Eskifjörður will begin in 2026, and the working group will continue its work on the sports center, its potential for use, and the promotion of sports activities in Eskifjörður.

Fjarðabyggð Palace completed

We will complete renovations to Fjarðabyggðarhöllinn as soon as possible, installing heating, an improved sound system, and beautifying the environment and appearance around the hall.

Sports club employee

The municipality will finance the position of an employee of the sports clubs who will assist, among other things, with daily work, financing, staff recruitment, tournament hosting, organizing competition trips, and ensure better cooperation between them and with the municipality. The employee will be under the supervision of the sports clubs.

Travel fund

A travel fund for sports and leisure practitioners will be established in consultation with the business community to address the high travel costs of sports and other leisure practitioners. Allocations will go directly to the practitioners.

Youth work

We will strengthen youth work across the urban centers, ensure good housing for community centers and regular activities. Increased transportation and joint openings of community centers in all urban centers and exploring the possibility of establishing a youth center for children over 16 years of age.

Odds Pass

We intend to strengthen the operation and development of the Oddsskarður ski area. A development plan for the coming years needs to be developed, with an emphasis on equipment storage and expansion of the hut at the beginning, but a vision for the area as a whole in the long term. We will look at increased collaboration with the Friends of Oddsskarður and the ski movement with the aim of having stakeholders increasingly involved in the daily operations of Oddsskarður.

Sports and leisure activities for older people

We intend to continue with Janus' project and promote leisure activities for senior citizens, ensuring good facilities, stability and variety in leisure activities for older people.

It's good to grow old.

Work will be done to establish the Good Aging project, which ensures the integration of home care and nursing care. This will enable older people to live at home for longer if they are healthy and willing to do so.

Broad-eyed

Breiðablik will continue to be a service space for the elderly, and an agreement will be reached with the rental company Bríeti regarding ownership, maintenance, development and expansion of Breiðablik as soon as possible.

Nursing room

Let's continue to fight for an increase in nursing homes in Fjarðabyggð and that the planned expansion of Hulduhlíður be accelerated. It will also be required that nursing facilities remain in Neskaupstaður and that renovations be carried out in Uppsala.

Day care services for senior citizens

Work will be done to further develop day care services for senior citizens in Fjarðabyggð The goal is to strengthen services, social activity and promote independent living for older people.

Increasing housing options for older residents

In collaboration with private parties, housing options for older residents will be increased in accordance with a housing survey of older people.

Collaboration with the Pieta organization strengthened

We intend to further strengthen the collaboration between Fjarðabyggð and the Pieta Association with an emphasis on prevention, pastoral care and education. The goal is to strengthen mental health in the community, increase access to support and promote education for children, youth and families.

Integrated services

We intend to improve the process and integration of services for disabled children and their families through increased collaboration between schools, leisure activities, sports clubs and social services. We want to move away from thinking of disabled children as a limited group within the system and ensure that they are part of society, school activities, leisure activities and sports like other children. Services should be based on participation and early support with families at the forefront.

Increased driving service

Driving services for people with support will be increased.

Maintenance effort

We will make an effort to maintain streets, sidewalks and the utility system, as well as continue the construction of the sewer system. Increase the utilization of municipally owned structures and dispose of buildings that can be put to other uses.

A more beautiful environment

We emphasize environmental beautification in both urban and rural areas, with a special emphasis on access to the city centers. Beautification efforts will be carried out with local residents' organizations. We intend to increase environmental awareness and sustainability in Fjarðabyggð's institutions, for example by continuing with the Green Steps project.

Planning issues

We will hire a planning officer to support increased development and planning in the municipality. We will place increased emphasis on local planning and reviewing older local plans to ensure a diverse supply of land and the utilization of existing infrastructure.

Ample land supply

We will continue to ensure discounts on street maintenance fees and will take special measures to increase the number of plots where appropriate and there is demand.

More rental housing

We plan to increase the number of rental properties in Fjarðabyggð in collaboration with businesses, builders and rental companies to meet growing demand. Special emphasis will be placed on ensuring that new residents and families have access to safe rental housing while they establish roots in the community and settle into their future.

New downtown squares

We will begin construction this summer on a new and impressive town square at Egilsbúð in Neskaupstaður, and in parallel with the construction at Grjótá, the planning of the town center area in Eskifjörður will be completed in cooperation with residents. The planning and development of the town center in Reyðarfjörður will also be completed in cooperation with the landowners, so that the planned development can begin.

Available vacant lots

We plan to increase the provision of information about available plots and have them accessible on the website with key information about the plots.

Transportation between residential areas

We will continue to push for immediate construction of the Suðurfjarðaveg and improvements to the landslides between Stöðvarfjörður and Breiðdalsvík. We will support research and cost estimates for tunnels to solve a dangerous section of road in the Suðurfjörður.

Public transportation

We will continue to develop Fjarðabyggð's public transportation system that is consistent with employment, sports, leisure, education and culture.

Fjarðabyggð Cultural Center and our museums

We will continue to strengthen the Fjarðabyggð Cultural Center and strengthen its collaboration with grassroots cultural activities in the municipality so that the Cultural Center becomes more of a support for event organizers instead of directly organizing events. We will continue to strengthen the museums owned by Fjarðabyggð with a more robust museum system and complete the reconstruction of the War Years Museum.

Fjarðabyggð's historical trail

Work will be done on a living history trail in Fjarðabyggð through the development of historical sites, signage and digital solutions that make the history of the area accessible to residents and visitors.

Prouder Fjarðabyggð

The campaign will be launched Prouder Fjarðabyggð which is intended to promote pride, solidarity and a positive image of Fjarðabyggð. We intend to mobilize residents to participate, promote collaboration and strengthen community spirit. We shop locally, stand together and strengthen ties.

Economic dashboard

An open dashboard will be set up that shows the tax footprint, employment income, and economic activity of Fjarðabyggð and its main industries. The dashboard will be ready as early as this year and will make the community's contribution visible.

Digital Fjarðabyggð

We intend to continue building digital Fjarðabyggð on the website and in the app so that residents have quick and easy access to information, such as sports club training schedules and to register suggestions. We will put the Fjarðabyggðkartið on the phone.

Increased cooperation with residents

Residents and residents' associations will be given increased involvement in the municipality's projects through the Fjarðabyggðarappið and the residents' associations. The residents' associations will be given a greater role in prioritizing projects in the local area in collaboration with residents.

The organization will be in regular dialogue with the municipal council and work with the municipality on progress issues. By giving residents a real role in projects and decision-making, we strengthen community spirit and responsibility.

Regular interview hours

The mayor, chairman of the municipal council and president of the municipal council will regularly offer interview hours in all local elections, along with other elected representatives. Regular interview hours will also be offered for the municipality's department heads in the elections.

Center for Value Creation

There will be increased marketing of Fjarðabyggð as a powerful center of value creation. We intend to systematically present the municipality's strengths to the people, government, business and investors to increase visibility and attract new opportunities.

Mayor

Jóna Árný Þórðardóttir will be reappointed as mayor.

President of the Municipal Council

Progress

2. President of the Municipal Council:

Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn

Chairman of the Town Council

Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn

Planning and Implementation Committee

Progress

Family Committee

Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn

Cultural center

Progress

Port Authority

Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn

Mountain Division Committee

Progress

Council of Elders

Progress