Gelnhausen in the financial crisis: Mayor warns 7.5 million euros deficit

Gelnhausen in the financial crisis: Mayor warns 7.5 million euros deficit

Gelnhausen faces a serious financial challenge, as discussed in the recent meeting of the Roth local advisory board on Monday evening. Mayor Christian Litzinger pointed out that the creation of an approval-capable budget becomes problematic if the circular and school levies are being increased further. A deficit of 7.5 million euros is expected for the city without an increase. The main and finance committee of the district council is working on a short-term clarification of the levies, since the city council and the administration are dependent on a constant financial basis.

The levies represent the largest expenditure position in the household. In the current year, 26 million euros must be raised for taxes. Sometimes the increase in personnel costs plays a role here, which are caused by tariff increases and additional vacation days for the employees. In addition, the city is planning to create four new positions, including two for the city police.

budget deficit and investments

A significant financial focus is at the expense of childcare, which amounts to around 10 million euros and thus further burden the budget budget. In the current draft budget, there are no significant investments for Roth, only 25,000 euros for retention. In addition, the purchase of the club house "Kinzigtal" is on the agenda in 2024. Talks with the owners are currently underway, while an emergency start date will soon be determined.

For the use of the event hall in the club house, permits at the Main-Kinzig-Kreis are required, which also influences the planned processes. Interestingly, citizens are increasingly concerning concerns about the care of orchards and the enema of the Immersbach. Christian Schindler from the FDP offered his support in maintaining the meadows, while the landscape maintenance association Main-Kinzig has already contacted property owners in order to obtain the condition of the meadows.

circular levy and municipal challenges

in parallel to the financial difficulties in Gelnhausen, the situation in the Groß-Gerau district is coming to a head. There is a financial requirement of 17.7 million euros for 2024. In 2022, the social benefits that the district had to pay were at 162 million euros, while the district levy was only 140 million. A planned increase in the circular levy could have drastic effects on property tax B, which would lead to significant additional loads in some cities and municipalities.

The citizens and municipalities are dissatisfied with the intended increases. Cities like Mörfelden-Walldorf, for example, could expect an additional load of 7.5 million euros, Stockstadt about one million euros. The current average rate of 679 points is the highest in Hesse, which continues to burden the financial situation of many municipalities.

In view of the intensifying financial problems, Federal Minister of Finance Jörg Kukies integrates into his arguments about the need for a law initiative in order to adopt the municipal old debts and thus to expand the scope of action of the municipalities concerned. This is regarded as a step to secure the equivalence of living conditions in Germany. Kukies emphasizes urgency to implement responsible budget management in the future to avoid similar financial crises.