Even if the two million euros probably lost at the bankrupt bank Greensill do not yet play a role: The city of Puchheim has little leeway when it comes to finances.
The city treasury has been damaged by Corona, ongoing projects do not leave much room for new plans.
Puchheim
- It should have been one of the shortest budget debates in the city's recent history: After almost three hours of discussion about the Greensill system in the city council, all parliamentary group spokesmen tried to provide relatively brief statements on the budget for 2021. For this, they played probably lost two million euros, however, still no role.
Mayor Norbert Seidl (SPD) even gave up his budget speech entirely.
Green group leader Gisella Gigliotti spoke of a “Corona-damaged household”.
She pointed out that with the three large projects that had been launched - namely the renovation of the indoor swimming pool and middle school as well as the expansion of the Puchheim-Ort elementary school - there was "next to nothing" left for further projects.
Jean-Marie Leone (SPD) called the draft budget “a means to an end”. This time it was not suitable for “tying down major political lines”.
The city center is suffering at the moment, for which, apart from a few other planning costs, no significant funds would be available until 2024.
But in the center "a lot of time and brainpower has been invested": "That must not fall out in the long run."
The largest city council group has a similar concern.
"The CSU is also for saving," said their spokeswoman Karin Kamleiter.
But the city center should not be postponed "to St. Never's Day".
"I don't know the word problem," said Jürgen Honold for the Independent Citizens.
"We are facing challenges that we will overcome, the budget is the right means."
Even the formerly wealthy Puchheim will have to tighten its belt for the foreseeable future, said Michaela von Hagen (Free Voters).
Reacting spontaneously and flexibly instead of planning long-term is now the right way to go.
Martin Koch (FDP) found that the best had been made of the difficult situation: "I think the budget is great." And the Liberal took back the allegation that the city council was not involved enough in budgeting.
He had to apologize to the chamberlain and his team.
It was the first request to speak since the local elections for which Koch received applause.
Puchheim will probably have to live with an annual deficit of over five million euros this year.
The income does not reach 50 million euros anymore due to falling tax revenues, the expenses are over 55 million euros despite all savings efforts.
The stock of financial resources has shrunk by a good 40 percent to a further eleven million euros.
(Olf Paschen)