This paper proposes a new approach in presenting the economic situation of a municipality by analyzing its local revenues. The quantity and evolution of local revenues are extremely important in public management because, in their absence, local governments cannot implement any policy, endangering therefore the local economic development. In this paper we conducted an eight years analysis on the evolution of Oradea’s municipality revenues. The used research methodology was both analytical and empirical, by constructing and analyzing selected indicators. In the end we conclude that the grants obtain by the municipality from the European Union represent the key to future economic development.