Mayor Arturo Rojas of Necochea, Argentina has vetoed Ordinance 12078/25, which the City Council approved on December 30 with modifications to the original casino auction framework.
The executive decree rejecting the opposition-sponsored changes is scheduled for release on Wednesday, ensuring the February 11 auction proceeds under the terms of the initial ordinance.
Rojas had signaled his intention to veto the amendments prior to the council vote, characterizing the opposition proposal as irregular, illegal and irresponsible. The Mayor argued that changing auction rules would deter potential investors and jeopardize recovery of the casino complex.
The vetoed amendments included several provisions that would have altered the original framework. Article 8 was modified to require buyers to begin demolition or restoration within 180 days of purchase, with parcels to be cleared for future development. The original ordinance contained no timeline requirements. Non-compliance would have resulted in loss of municipal tax exemptions and potential fines imposed by the council.
Article 12 changes would have required City Council authorization for any partial or total transfer of the purchase agreement, shifting that authority from the executive branch. Under Article 22 modifications, the 15-year municipal tax exemption from the execution of the purchase agreement would have applied exclusively to the original buyer, prohibiting transfers to third parties and limiting the benefit to residential and commercial uses.
The amendments also proposed creating a Historic Reparation Fund, financed by proceeds from casino sales, dedicated to public works financing. A special commission with representatives from each council bloc would have prioritized the project list.
The current ordinance allocates 70% of sale proceeds to municipal works and 30% to discretionary resources, prioritizing essential services, with the executive branch maintaining decision authority.
The casino auction will take place at the Municipality auditorium on February 11 under the original ordinance terms.
The ordinance set a base auction price of ARS 4.88bn ($3.3m), payable as 10% at the auction, 15% upon contract approval, and the remaining balance split into four annual installments, adjusted to the official exchange rate
