Slumps in trade and income tax, plus an increased district levy: The budget for 2021, which the Wolfratshauser city council passed on Wednesday, is marked by the effects of the corona pandemic. It had already become clear during the preliminary discussions that it was going to be tight in the city’s treasury this year. The approach for trade tax receipts had to be revised down from ten million to 8.5 million euros, and income tax participation was also lower at 14.2 instead of 14.8 million euros. At the same time, personnel costs rose by 500,000 euros to 8.5 million euros, and the district allocation increased from 11.7 to 12.8 million euros. The reason for this is the high financial strength of 2019, which is why the city does not receive any key allocations. As a result, the administrative budget must be balanced with an addition of around 865,000 euros from the property budget. In addition, a withdrawal of almost 2.5 million euros from the reserves is required, which is reduced to around 5.9 million euros.
In view of the pandemic, all parliamentary groups waived budget speeches this time in order to keep the meeting short and the risk of infection low. Only Mayor Klaus Heilinglechner (citizens’ association) left a brief conclusion. “The reserves are being used up, there is currently no scope for new wishes,” he said. After all, the city does not have to take out a loan in 2021 and can even reduce the debt further. Due to the upcoming investments, especially for the hammer mill school, this will probably change as early as 2022. According to treasurer Peter Schöfmann, the debt level could increase from currently around 7.8 million euros to 21 million euros by 2024.
The city councils finally approved the budget charter, which had been carefully applied as usual, with a large majority. Only Hans Schmidt and Rudi Seibt (both Greens) voted against the decree. One and a half years ago, the city council declared a climate emergency with a large majority, said Schmidt. This also forms “the basis for implementing climate protection measures in Wolfratshausen more quickly and reallocating the funds required for this.” In the 2021 budget, however, “not a cent will be made available” for climate protection measures than in the previous year. That is a “wrong signal”.
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