Offenbach: Fierce exchange of blows on the 2022 budget

–

For the area of ​​responsibility of Paul-Gerhard Weiß (FDP), building and planning, Walter demanded “a different planning depth and building cost controlling” in the administration for the out of hand costs in large projects such as schools and daycare centers. He accused treasurer Martin Wilhelm (SPD) of an adventurous concept of savings. “You cancel and postpone the most important investments, just so as not to work out structural leeway in your own departments and as a magistrate together with the staff council”.

The FDP parliamentary group chairman Dominik Schwagereit spoke of a fairy tale hour for the CDU parliamentary group chairman. Schwagereit said that former treasurer Peter Freier had shifted the debt backwards. However, medium-term planning is essential for the city’s ability to act. The liberal highlighted the new investments of 100 million euros for 2022, almost 70 million euros for daycare centers and schools. The previous record was 84 million euros.

Helena Wolf, leader of the SPD parliamentary group, emphasized that the savings made it possible to eliminate the existing financial hole of 39 million euros. “For us, there was always no question: we will not simply go the route mapped out by Tanzania and fill the budget gap again with a property tax increase,” said the Social Democrat.

Tobias Dondelinger suggested more conciliatory tones towards the old coalition partner CDU. The co-leader of the Greens spoke of solid budgets that had already been drawn up in the previous coalition. “The present budget, like the last one, is characterized by distortions that are reflected in almost all areas of the budget, or that create greater uncertainty than is the case in normal years,” said Dondelinger.

He warned of unforeseen factors such as the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis and the decisions of the new federal government. His co-group leader Sybille Schumann emphasized that 427,000 euros are available for climate projects, 200,000 euros more than in previous years. “Unfortunately we cannot provide as much money as is needed.” In addition, for the first time there are 500,000 euros of free funds available for cycling and walking.

The left parliamentary group leader Sven Malsy once again criticized the “unnecessary dismissal” of Peter Freier, who burdened the budget with 200,000 euros. He called for a vacancy tax for investors who speculate with empty living space and vacant businesses. However, a corresponding supplementary application was later rejected. Just like the accompanying application from the CDU, which called for funds to be made available for the redevelopment of the street space by 2025.

“That would be ten million euros more in medium-term planning. If we accept your amendment, the budget would not be eligible. That’s weak, ”said Chamberlain Wilhelm. The budget for 2022 was approved by a majority of the Ampel coalition. The budget shows income of 543.1 million euros in the result budget and expenses of 564.5 million euros. The minus of 21.4 million euros is offset by reserves.

–