The council of the municipality of Emstek has passed a budget of records. This applies to both investments, which at 21 million euros have never been so high, as well as new debt, which at 9 million euros has also reached previously unknown heights. The latter, however, is seen in a relaxed manner. On the one hand, municipalities are currently being offered long-term loans for just 0.2 or 0.3 percent interest, and on the other hand, considerable income from property sales is expected in the coming years. Because the purchases of space are responsible for the fact that the expenditure side grows enormously.
Figures are approved unanimously
To hold a council meeting without being present in a circular procedure has never been done in Emstek before. The corona pandemic made this step necessary. What Emstek Mayor Michael Fischer is particularly pleased about: “The budget was passed unanimously with no abstentions.” And that with an investment volume that corresponds to a third of what has been spent in the past ten years.
In the earnings budget, the ordinary income of 27.2 million euros is offset by expenses of 28.3 million euros. Payments in and out from ongoing administrative activities are balanced at 25.5 million euros. There are payments of a good 4 million euros for investment activities. That is not enough back and forth for the 21.5 million in expenses, especially since there are also 621,200 euros for interest and repayments in the budget. In addition to the loan of 9 million euros, a similar amount of liquid funds is available to finance the expenses. A maximum of 4.2 million euros can be drawn on liquidity loans.
Not much remains of the trade tax in the municipality
As always, the largest source of income is trade tax. Municipal treasurer Bernd Michael Lüske has set this position at 11 million euros. “That is a cautious assessment. We deliberately took a conservative approach, as Corona will have an impact on income. How serious the effects will be cannot yet be estimated. ”Of the total amount, however, only just under a quarter remains in one’s own pocket, because the district levy is reflected in the balance sheet to a not inconsiderable extent. Around six million euros flow to Cloppenburg. The trade tax allocation is 1.4 million euros and the financial equalization allocation is 605,000 euros. The levy for the Ecopark is 621,000 euros. “However, it is now the case that the income covers the levy,” said the mayor, pleased about the development.
Offer of building land in Halen and Emstek in sight
The CDU parliamentary group is behind the figures in a press release. “Investments in an unprecedented amount of almost 21.5 million euros guarantee a sustainable future for our community and offer a secure opportunity to develop in the long term,” said parliamentary group leader Georg Deselaers. To meet the ongoing demand for building and commercial properties, a good 6.5 million euros have been earmarked for the acquisition of space. “More than 3.1 million euros have been earmarked for the development of the new residential and commercial space and the expansion of the planned streets,” the councilor calculates. “In Halen and Emstek (Hesselnfeld) we are currently well on the way to supplementing the supply of building land and meeting the enormous demand.”
CDU calls the budget serious and forward-looking
Deselaers lists around 2.3 million euros in investments only for the primary schools in Emstek, Höltinghausen and Bühren. “Funds of around 2.5 million euros are available for construction work at the day-care centers in Hoheging, Höltinghausen, Emstek and Bühren. The sports hall under construction on Ostlandstrasse costs 2.6 million euros. ”The fiber optic expansion will also occupy the municipality of Emstek in the coming years and will require considerable funds. “From the point of view of the CDU parliamentary group, the approved budget is serious, solid and forward-looking,” Georg Deselaers concludes.
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