Möser Municipality Delays Budget Decision to September, Faces Deficit Challenges

Möser – Unusually late in the year, the municipality of Möser wants to decide on its budget for the current year at the beginning of September. The timing was due to the difficulty of drawing up a budget this year, explained Mayor Bernd Köppen (independent). Initially, the deficit in the result plan was almost two million euros. The municipal administration went into public consultation at the beginning of August with a minus of 741,000 euros.

The sum is now approaching the 900,000 euro mark. Among other things, the 100,000 euros that the building committee has requested for the maintenance of roads and paths, in addition to the 130,000 euros already planned, are important in order to be able to counter the maintenance backlog a little more than in previous years.

Real tax rates remain constant

Borrowing this year is not planned. However, seven loans must be serviced. Two commitment appropriations for the purchase of firefighting vehicles for 2024 and 2025 are taken into account. With commitment appropriations, orders can be issued that will burden the budget in subsequent years.

The important projects of the 2023 budget include the renovation of the playground at the Möser elementary school, the rural road construction between Möser and Bocksmühle or the demolition of the German railway bridge at the Körbelitz Vorwerk.

Also read: More money for ailing streets in Möser

The real tax rates remain constant for the rest of the year. From 2024, the property tax B will increase from 450 to 485 percent. H. and trade tax from 330 to 375 percent. H. suggested. Parents with daycare children can also face higher costs, since parental contributions are also expected to increase. The originally intended October 1st date has been pushed back to November 1st. The increase can only come into effect if the municipal council gives its approval.

The financial planning provides for a small plus in each of the next few years. The black numbers in sight and the possibility of balancing this year’s deficit on their own mean that the municipality does not have to draw up a budget consolidation concept despite the unbalanced budget for 2023. The finance committee unanimously recommended that the municipal council approve the 2023 budget. The municipal council meets on September 5th.