City government: sixteen young people to the youth council, car benefit for the mayor

15.12.2025 News Participate and influence Living in Riihimäki Education and training Define Development Projects Town government Mayor Youth services Service network Decision making

A woman holds a wooden gavel in her hand, which she is tapping against a small wooden platform resting on a white table. A bright, spacious conference room is visible in the background.

On Monday, December 15, the Riihimäki City Board decided, among other things, on the mayor's car allowance, participation in the Define ecosystem expansion project funded by Sitra, and the composition of the youth council.

According to the City Council's decision, the Youth Council will have sixteen young people for the term of office 2026–2027. Mikael Aalto, Oona Jormalainen, Roosa Koivukangas, Miia Laakso, Sifa Mashimang, Kamila Pachuta, Leevi Palmunen, Pyry Parikka, Oona Perkkiö, Jonne Purhonen, Juho Rintakoski, Miikke Salmela, Riina Tervatuli, Leo Tölmälä, Elsi Vehviläinen and Terhi Vuorinen were elected to the council.

A maximum of 20 young people could have been elected to the council. However, there were only 16 candidates, so no elections were needed. The task of the youth council is, among other things, to promote young people's opportunities for participation, influence and action, and to issue statements and take initiatives on matters concerning young people.

No appeal is filed against the administrative court's decision.

The City Board will not appeal the decision of the Hämeenlinna Administrative Court Service Network. The Board noted the decision and will also send it to the City Council for information.

The Hämeenlinna Administrative Court has overturned the Riihimäki City Council's decision on the service network in relation to the decisions related to the closure of the Peltosaari School. The Administrative Court states in its decision that the council's decision not to allocate any more premises to the Peltosaari School has in fact meant the closure of the Peltosaari School.

Sitra's project receives 650,000 euros in self-financing

According to the decision of the city council, the city will participate in the Sitra-funded Define expansion project with a self-financing contribution of EUR 650,000. The project aims to build a national, multi-actor defense and security innovation ecosystem from Define, which originated in Riihimäki and Kanta-Häme, connecting cities, companies, universities and authorities.

The self-financing portion will be covered entirely from the budget of the Technology and Innovations responsibility area within the budget framework. The City Council decided to grant funding for the project as early as September 2025. At that time, the self-financing portion was planned to be covered from both salaries and the business support fund. However, this model did not suit Sitra.

Car benefit for the mayor

The City Council decided to introduce a car benefit as part of Mayor Jouni Eho's salary under the director's contract. The Mayor will be provided with an electric car through a leasing agreement.

The indicative tax value of the vehicle, or the so-called free car benefit, is approximately 920 euros per month. According to a preliminary estimate, the car benefit is at least cost-neutral for the city as an employer. The inclusion of the tax value of the vehicle in the current salary and the elimination of travel costs make the car benefit cost-neutral. The introduction of the car benefit will not increase the mayor's salary.

This meeting was the last meeting of the city council for 2025.