Offenbach fights deficit with 47.6 million euros - what solutions are there?
Offenbach fights deficit with 47.6 million euros - what solutions are there?
The financial situation of the city of Offenbach is worrying. According to a report by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung this year will reach a budget deficit of 47.6 million euros. This is a worrying increase of 9.4 million euros compared to the previous year. The treasurer Martin Wilhelm (SPD) has already shown reserves of 120 million euros, but it can be expected that they will be used up in a few years.
The city is also forced to save in the water treatment in the Schultheis pond, which makes the precarious financial situation clear. A proposed savings fee of only 150,000 euros is assessed as inadequate, while at the same time the mandatory expenditure by federal laws put a greatness. This is not only reflected in Offenbach, but is a Germany -wide problem.
rising deficits in Germany
In addition, the presidents of the municipal associations criticize the expansion of the tasks of the municipalities without sufficient financial resources. This means that new investments are hardly possible and that municipal investments from 2025 are expected to continue. The municipalities' investment deficit is already 186 billion euros and is expected to grow further.
economic challenges and perspectives
Although Offenbach has success in company settlements, the effects of which are spatially and limited, the financial situation remains tense. The city supports Samson AG in a move that affects 2000 jobs. The move from Frankfurt to Offenbach should be carried out by the beginning of 2027, with electronics production to start in autumn 2023.
The challenges due to increasing expenses, fewer income from trade tax and the need to invest in such as climate protection and traffic transition also make the situation precarious. The KfW Kommunal Panel survey 2024 shows that 58% of the municipalities rate their financial situation as "sufficient", but expect almost 90% negative developments for the coming years. These surveys illustrate the general feeling of uncertainty and the increasing pressure to act with falling financial resources at the same time.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the financial future of the cities can only change if the federal government and the federal states are willing to better help the municipalities that suffer from structural funding gaps. The new regulation of the municipal financial equalization in 2026 could be a crucial step in the right direction.| Details | |
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