The city council undertook this difficult attempt to give the city treasurer a direction on how the budget could look in 2021.
In any case, the framework is so tight that there is no room for maneuver, because the necessary loan of one million euros is actually not approvable.
In Schongau, preparations are underway for the budget draft for 2021
The direction of the mayor and treasurer is clear and there is hardly any leeway
It is already becoming apparent that some city councils see no way without tax increases
Schongau -
The city was already worried about the 2020 budget and got away with a black eye again.
Because of the compensation payments of the Free State for the trade tax in the amount of almost 4.2 million euros, Schongau did not have to take out a loan to balance the budget.
This looks completely different for the current year.
Mayor Falk Sluyterman agreed with the city council.
“The crisis demands and affects us all!” He estimates that there will be no more financial compensation for this year, and that the next budget will have to do without government aid.
Sluyterman's motto: limit yourself to what is absolutely necessary
Hence Sluyterman's motto: to limit oneself to the "absolutely necessary", to prioritize compulsory tasks if necessary.
With the voluntary benefits, however, he wants to proceed cautiously.
"We can only apply the red pencil where we do not cause irreversible damage," he said with a view to clubs and volunteers.
"After Corona, our social life should continue or revive again." Sluyterman also considers the increase in the rates of assessment for trade tax and property tax to be counterproductive.
“That would come at an inopportune time”, at least this year it should be avoided.
Ultimately, however, a budget must be passed that the local authority also approves.
For the trade tax, city treasurer Werner Hefele has taken into account income of 8.2 million euros for the year 2021 and expects similar income for the following years.
Not much remains of it: this income is almost entirely used for the city's personnel costs.
Overall, Hefele assumes tax revenues of 20.4 million euros.
But the district levy alone, which is to be paid to the district, is expected to amount to 8.7 million euros, the treasurer made clear (for the largest expenditure see box below).
The city needs a loan of one million euros
To balance the budget for 2021, the city of Schongau will therefore need a loan of one million euros, Hefele calculated.
But that will be difficult again: Because the minimum transfer from the administrative budget to the asset budget is not possible, the legal supervisory authority does not approve simple borrowing.
This must be declared as a loan to balance the budget, but which must be repaid within ten years.
"But that requires a corresponding expenditure discipline," warned Hefele.
“Only what is necessary is possible, there is no room for what is desirable.” He leaves no doubt: “Everything must be reconsidered on a case-by-case basis, whether it is necessary at the present time.” If the tax revenue side shows a negative development, action must also be taken he looks in the direction of tax increases.
Because the numbers will be even redder in 2022: As things stand today, a loan of 4.2 million euros would be necessary.
Increase business tax or property tax B?
In principle, the city councils signed the given direction, but not in all parts.
Michael Eberle (CSU) does not want to wait with the middle school, not only the roof has to be renovated, "there is still more to be done".
One is ready for budgetary discipline, but as soon as there is a positive development, one has to “set the sails”.
The issue of tax increases in particular will probably come back on the table again.
"The entire economic activity serves the common good", quoted Nina Konstantin (ALS) from the Bavarian constitution.
Exactly this must be applied here and the trade tax increased, even if only for a short time.
"The companies pay taxes from their profits."
Friedrich Zeller (SPD) would not shy away from increasing the income, namely through the property tax B for civil engineering.
This is significantly lower compared to the surrounding communities.
"We have had an investment backlog for years, and whether we have money or not, road construction is necessary."
Stephan Hild (UWV) also warned that in the end it would cost a lot more if the streets were completely ailing.
The UWV will weigh up the increase in property and trade tax.
You will survive the year 2021, but you have to keep an eye on the following years.
“At some point the coffers are empty, then there is a shift in the shaft.” Jiri Faltis called for people not to paint too black: “We have to survive the doldrums in 2021, but we have to be positive.” The loan was decided against six votes.
The list of major investments
The list of the most important items in the property budget of city treasurer Werner Hefele is very short and only barely a page long: From the fire station - a total investment of 2.5 million euros - around 480,000 euros are still in the plan, the same amount is needed to graduate from elementary school.
The middle school is this year with zero euros in the asset budget, in the coming year with 1.6 million euros.
Since a grant of 1.4 million euros is expected, which was originally intended for the facade renovation, it is hoped to be able to tackle the roof instead.
As is well known, the middle school is to be completely renovated as soon as this is financially manageable, until then only the most necessary can be done.
This year, 330,000 euros are available for the college level building so that it can be used by the middle school.
The extension of the rainbow kindergarten is the only major project that is being tackled, as was decided in the same meeting.
The planned and already started work, including the slide, continues in the splash area (we reported).
Cost factor: 1.3 million (minus a subsidy of 460,000 euros).
The Kneipp facility on Lechuferstraße is being refurbished, but the city only costs a small amount of its own.
The apartments in valley 8 to 12 also remain on target with 1.53 million euros minus the subsidy, but only 200,000 euros are expected for 2021.
Civil engineering remains a sad chapter in Schongau, especially with the roads.
According to the list in the investment plan, not much is happening this year apart from planning, Peitinger Straße and the development of the southern Eichenfeld construction site are to be tackled in 2022.
The funds approved for the cycle path concept (50,000) and bicycle racks (minus subsidies still 18,000 euros) are now only for broadband coverage, this year at just under 250,000 euros.
There is no avoiding the necessary expansion of the urn walls and steles at the cemetery (60,000 euros).
The splash remains a big question mark.
You save some money on the personnel costs in the building department.
One position remains vacant, another should only be filled internally with a delay.
