Carnago: Fratelli d'Italia criticizes Forza Italia's commuting

Context

In brief

• Fausto Benzi, Forza Italia councilor, resident in Cuggiono
• Travel reimbursement: 312.18 € in 2025
• Average cost per session: 28.38 € for travel

Key facts

• What: Mileage reimbursement for councilor Fausto Benzi
• When: Year 2025
• Where: Municipality of Carnago
• Who: Minority councilor Fausto Benzi (Forza Italia)
• Amount: 312.18 € travel reimbursement

In Carnago, Fratelli d'Italia has attacked Forza Italia councilor Fausto Benzi over fuel reimbursements. Benzi, who resides in Cuggiono, faces a round trip of over 120 km to attend municipal council meetings. Although the reimbursements are legitimate, Fratelli d'Italia, represented by local circle president Raffaele Pasella, has raised doubts about the appropriateness of the costs. According to official documents from the Municipality of Carnago, the mileage reimbursement for Benzi is the main expenditure item. In 2025, Benzi received 149.16 € as attendance fees for 11 sessions, while the Municipality paid out 312.18 € solely for travel reimbursement. This means that for each session, the Carnago taxpayer pays 13.56 € for Benzi's political contribution and 28.38 € to allow him to reach the Town Hall.

The mystery of the kilometers

An analysis of the routes revealed that the average round trip distance between Cuggiono and Carnago is 66.6 km, according to ViaMichelin. However, the reimbursements paid to Benzi seem to be based on an average of about 85-86 km per session, with a constant discrepancy of about 20 extra km per trip. This discrepancy results in an additional economic burden for the community of Carnago.

Projection 2029: a hefty bill

If the trend of attendance and reimbursements were to remain constant, Forza Italia's political choice to rely on an extra-territorial profile would cost the citizens of Carnago a considerable amount. Considering the costs already incurred and projecting them until the end of the term in 2029, it is estimated that the community will have to shell out approximately 2,400 euros in total. A sum that, in a small Municipality, could be destined for family services or urban maintenance, and which instead is absorbed by the fuel reimbursements of a single minority representative.

Ethics of service

While Benzi meticulously collects every cent due for his out-of-province trips, municipal documents cite an opposite example: several councilors have chosen the path of pure service, waiving their own allowances to donate them to the fund for assistance to the disabled. This raises a question about Forza Italia's political choice to candidate a representative residing outside the province, with a significant impact on the municipal coffers.

Comparisons with Ticino

In Ticino, the situation is similar. For example, in the municipality of Lugano, municipal councilors residing outside the canton receive mileage reimbursements based on rates set by cantonal law. According to Ticinese regulations, the mileage reimbursement is set at 0.75 CHF per km in 2023, an amount higher than the Italian average. A councilor residing in Mendrisio, approximately 30 km from Lugano, receives around 45 CHF for each meeting, a cost that is added to the attendance fees.

Operational Checklist

For municipalities that need to manage mileage reimbursements for councilors residing out of town, it is essential to: 1. Distance Verification: Use tools like ViaMichelin or Google Maps to calculate actual distances. 2. Regulatory Comparisons: Analyze local and national regulations to ensure that reimbursements are compliant. 3. Transparency: Publish reimbursement data to ensure transparency and accountability. 4. Cost Evaluation: Consider the long-term economic impact and evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

Concrete Examples

In the municipality of Como, a councilor residing in Olgiate Comasco, approximately 20 km away, received reimbursements totaling 1,200 € in 2023. The average distance of 40 km per meeting, multiplied by 12 meetings, resulted in a cost of 100 € per meeting, an amount significantly lower than that of Benzi.

Regulations and Dates

In Italy, Law No. 81 of 2014 states that mileage reimbursements must be based on rates set by individual municipalities. However, the lack of a uniform regulatory framework can lead to significant discrepancies. In Ticino, however, the cantonal law of 2023 has set precise mileage rates, reducing the possibilities of abuse.

Conclusion

The issue of mileage reimbursements for councilors residing out of town is a complex topic that requires a careful analysis of costs and benefits. While some Italian municipalities could benefit from clearer and more uniform regulations, others, like Carnago, must face the dilemma of balancing political representation with economic sustainability. The choice of Forza Italia to nominate a representative residing outside the province raises ethical and practical questions that deserve an in-depth debate.

Operational details

Practical Implications for Cross-Border Workers

The dispute between Fratelli d'Italia and Forza Italia in Carnago raises important issues for cross-border workers who commute to Ticino from Italy. The incident highlights how commuting costs can significantly impact municipal finances, especially in small towns like Carnago. Cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and live in Italy often face long and expensive commutes, and mileage reimbursements can become a significant expense for their municipalities of residence.

📊 Concrete Examples:

• A cross-border worker living in Varese and working in Lugano may travel approximately 100 km per day, at an average cost of 0.40 CHF/km, totaling 40 CHF per day.
• Another example is a resident of Como who works in Mendrisio, covering about 50 km per day, at a cost of 20 CHF per day.

💡 Operational Checklist for Municipalities:

• Verification of the actual distances traveled by cross-border workers.
• Implementation of a system to monitor the kilometers traveled.
• Review of reimbursement policies to ensure transparency and cost-effectiveness.

Comparison with the Previous Situation

Before the dispute, mileage reimbursements for municipal councilors had not received particular attention. However, the analysis of the costs incurred for Benzi revealed a problem of public spending efficiency. In the past, reimbursements were paid without rigorous control of the kilometers traveled, but the situation has now changed. Official documents from the Municipality of Carnago show that Benzi's reimbursements were calculated based on an average distance of approximately 85-86 km per session, while the actual distance is 66.6 km.

📊 Specific Data:

• The difference of 18.4 km per session, multiplied by the number of annual sessions, can result in an excessive burden on the municipality's expenses.
• According to Italian legislation, mileage reimbursements for municipal councilors are regulated by Legislative Decree 267/2000, which establishes the criteria for determining the reimbursements.

Future Scenarios

If the dispute continues, the Municipality of Carnago may decide to review the methods for calculating mileage reimbursements for municipal councilors. Furthermore, the incident could lead to greater transparency in the management of public funds, with stricter control of the kilometers traveled and the costs incurred. For cross-border workers, this could mean greater attention to commuting costs and a possible review of reimbursement policies.

⚠️ Comparison of Practical Scenarios:

• Current Scenario: Reimbursement based on unverified distances, with possible excessive spending.
• Future Scenario: Reimbursement based on verified distances, with stricter control and greater transparency.

'Transparency is fundamental to ensuring the efficiency of public spending,' stated a representative of the Municipality of Carnago.

The Carnago case could become a case study for other Italian municipalities facing similar challenges, especially those with a significant presence of cross-border workers commuting to Ticino.

Useful tools for your case

To verify your within/over 20 km tax scenario, use the net salary calculator and the tax return guide.

Key points

What to do if you are a cross-border worker

If you are a cross-border worker who works in Ticino and resides in Italy, it is essential to know the mileage reimbursement policies of your municipality of residence. Here are some detailed steps to follow:

1. Inform yourself: Contact your municipality of residence to learn about the mileage reimbursement policies for municipal councilors. For example, the municipality of Varese reimburses 0.40 euros per kilometer, while the municipality of Como offers 0.35 euros. Check if there are annual mileage limits or other specific conditions.

2. Document: Keep a detailed record of the kilometers traveled for each trip, including alternative shorter routes. Use apps like Google Maps or ViaMichelin to track the routes. For example, if you travel from Como to Lugano, the shortest route is approximately 50 km, while an alternative route could be 60 km.

3. Verify: Compare the kilometers declared with those actually traveled, using tools like ViaMichelin. For example, if you declare 50 km but the actual route is 45 km, you may need to justify the difference.

4. Request: If you believe the reimbursements are excessive, contact your municipality to request a review of the reimbursement policies. Provide concrete data and specific examples to support your request.

Useful tools

To calculate the costs of commuting and compare mileage reimbursements, you can use the mileage reimbursement calculator available on our website. Additionally, consult the mileage reimbursement guide to learn about the current regulations and procedures to follow.

📊 Practical example:

• Municipality of Varese: Reimburses 0.40 euros per kilometer, with a maximum limit of 3,000 km per year.
• Municipality of Como: Reimburses 0.35 euros per kilometer, with no mileage limits.

💡 Operational checklist:

• Verify the policies of your municipality.
• Keep a detailed record of the kilometers traveled.
• Use tracking tools to compare routes.
• Request a review if necessary.

Conclusion

The controversy between Fratelli d'Italia and Forza Italia in Carnago highlights the importance of transparent and rigorous management of public funds. For cross-border workers, it is fundamental to know the mileage reimbursement policies of their municipality of residence and to verify that the costs incurred are appropriate. Use the tools available on our website to calculate commuting costs and compare mileage reimbursements.

⚠️ Note: Regulations may vary from municipality to municipality. Make sure to consult the specific guidelines of your municipality of residence to avoid inconveniences.

Source: varesenews.it