Altstätten The 2021 budget in the city’s income statement provides for expenses of CHF 64.3 million and income of CHF 60.5 million. This results in a surplus of expenses of 3.8 million francs, which can be covered with a withdrawal from equity. Taking into account the budgeted surplus of expenses as of January 1, 2021, this amounts to CHF 20.6 million.
Loans for CHF 5.3 million are applied for
With the budget, the city council applies for loans totaling CHF 5.3 million for the general budget. With the requested loans, the city council is planning the replacement of the slide in the outdoor pool and the renewal of the lighting of the sports facilities, the creation of the construction project for the eastern bypass, measures for the wastewater treatment plant (ARA), the relocation of a water pipe and the creation of underfloor systems for household waste, and a hydraulic engineering project on Biser and Ebenrütibach. The gross loan of 1.5 million francs applied for in the budget report for the hydraulic engineering project on the Lienzer Bach was mistakenly transferred from the investment planning to the investment calculation and will not be used. Last week the landowners affected were invited to participate and on Tuesday the public information on the project at the Lienzer Bach took place. After that, the project will be completed and the corresponding loan from the citizenry will be applied for – probably at the ballot box.
Self-financing rate of minus 81 percent
The 2021 budget shows a negative self-financing rate of minus 81 percent. The financing shortfall amounts to CHF 6.4 million and causes a corresponding decrease in assets.
As of January 1, 2021, the city will switch to the new invoicing model of the St. Gallen municipalities RMSG. The city council has set a new capitalization limit of 200,000 francs and adjusted depreciation periods. A revaluation of the administrative assets was waived. With the changeover to the new invoicing model, it is not possible to compare expenses and income directly with the invoices and budgets of previous years. The city’s technical operations include the electricity and waterworks as well as the communications division. The technical operations are expecting a total income surplus of 27,000 francs before depreciation. This includes contributions to the general budget of the city of Altstätten of CHF 1 million (701,200 from municipal taxes and 300,000 from profit transfer) from the electricity company and a profit transfer of CHF 100,000 from the communications division.
1.7 million for the renovation of the Stossberg reservoir
After depreciation of CHF 247,400 and deposits in reserve of additional depreciation of CHF 206,000, a withdrawal of a total of CHF 427,000 from the reserve funds of the various divisions is budgeted. With the budget for the technical operations, the city council applied for loans totaling 1.7 million francs for planning the renovation of the Stossberg reservoir, the renewal of the water pipeline in Trogenerstrasse (old Ruppenstrasse to Donner reservoir) and the 5th stage of the expansion of the fiber optic network. For the community company, the Haus Sonnengarten retirement and nursing home, total expenditure of CHF 7.12 million and operating income of CHF 7.16 million is expected to generate an operating profit of CHF 44,674.
Sonnengarten house: CHF 27,000 for coffee machines
A loan of CHF 27,400 is requested for the purchase of coffee machines in the residential groups. The property “Haus Utz”, lot no. 2331, Bildstrasse 12 in Altstätten, was acquired in 2009 for the purpose of realizing a public car park.
Appraisal by Haus Utz: Dedication and sale
Originally, it was planned to accommodate certain departments of the city administration in the Utz building during the construction of the new town hall and to create parking spaces on the property at a later date. From today’s perspective, there is no need to create parking spaces on the property. The property has been rented to the Timeout School Oberrheintal since August 1, 2014. The school board of the primary school would like to acquire the property from the city. The political association a plus has launched the following popular motion: “The city council is commissioned to work out a concept of measures to stop the shops dying in the old town and the associated negative consequences for the economy, society and culture.”
Volksmotion “For a lively old town”
In particular, a coordination office is to be created that bundles the various interests with the parties concerned, promotes urban location promotion and makes suggestions for improvement. After a test phase of at least two years, the city council evaluates the coordination office and decides on its further development. ” The city council recommends the approval of the Volksmotion. If approved, it will present a corresponding concept of measures at the citizens’ meeting in November 2021.
Citizens’ meeting in the Schöntal gymnasium
The budget report is sent to the subscribers by post or can be obtained from the residents’ office or city chancellery from November 4th. The report will also be published on the Altstätten website from this point in time (www.altstaetten.ch, search for “Budget 2021”). The complete, detailed documents will be available at the city chancellery from November 9th, 2020 until the citizens’ meeting (Rathausplatz 2, Altstätten, 4th floor).
The citizens’ meeting on Thursday, November 26th (from 8.15 p.m.) was moved to the Schöntal gymnasium due to the special location. Together with the Altstätten school, the city has drawn up a corresponding protection concept, which may, however, still change due to official requirements. Registration and masking requirements apply to the participants. Name, place of residence, telephone number and email address are required for registration. Those interested can register at the city chancellery: Tel. 071 757 77 04 or [email protected]. On the agenda are the budgets and the tax rate for 2021, the Utz report; Dedication and sale, the application for the people’s motion «For a lively old town» and the general survey. As usual, the city council will also provide first-hand information about ongoing projects and look forward to welcoming many interested parties. (sk)
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