The Wolfratshausen city council has decided on the subsidies for the water rescue service and the DLRG: Both have to swallow a bitter pill.
Wolfratshausen - The volunteers of the Wolfratshausen water rescue service and the DLRG local association Schäftlarn-Wolfratshausen have to swallow a bitter pill: They only get a fraction of the subsidy that the two rescue organizations had applied for from the city.
The representatives of the Greens failed on Wednesday evening in the meeting of the main committee of the city council with their application to raise a larger financial injection for the water rescue service and the DLRG.
The water rescue service originally applied for almost 70,000 euros from the city's purse, while the DLRG applied for a little more than 36,000 euros.
Both asserted that money is mainly needed for the swimming training of the emergency services and the young members, which takes place in the intermunicipal indoor swimming pool in Geretsried: "36 euros per train hour." as well as the local DLRG have to be content with 5,184 euros each, according to the 10-0 decision of the main committee.
Third Mayor Annette Heinloth and Peter Lobenstein (both Greens) applied for 15,000 euros each at the last minute - without success.
The Greens advocate a grant of 15,000 euros each
Before the vote, Heinloth stated that both organizations had “significantly” corrected their grant applications downwards again at the end of 2021, without specifying the specific amounts. She advocated taking an "important step" towards the rescue workers. A grant of 15,000 euros each: this amount would not drive the rafting town into ruin.
The city council's economic advisor, Helmut Forster (Wolfratshauser list), referred to several, non-public consultations.
Ultimately, there was consensus among the participants to provide the water rescue service and the DLRG each with 5,184 euros.
“They are important associations,” Forster emphasized, “but we also have responsibility for the overall budget.” Forster recalled the “huge tasks” that the city had to cope with.
In particular, the renovation and expansion of the elementary and middle school on Hammerschmiedweg, which cost a good 45 million euros.
SPD city councilor Fritz Schnaller complains about the water watch's motion
"Upper edge of the lower jaw": This is how Fritz Schnaller (SPD) described the financial situation in Loisachstadt.
For this reason, higher grants are out of the question.
The Wasserwacht had to put up with criticism from Schnaller: Their application was so sketchy (“Why can't they submit a cash report?” “Isn't there a cash book kept there?”) That, strictly speaking, “it wasn't from the administration to the city council at all should be forwarded for decision ”.
5,000 euros is also a lot of money.
Peter Plößl, spokesman for the CSU city council group
For CSU parliamentary group leader Peter Plößl, who, as reported, has asked to be dismissed from the city council, the debate revealed "a basic problem": Nobody diminishes the performance of the water rescuers, everyone appreciates their commitment - "if possible, each of us would open the cornucopia" .
But one has to differentiate between what is desirable and what is feasible.
Plößl pointed out that “5000 euros is a lot of money”.
If we were gifted with money, we would give everyone what they want.
No association would have to raise membership fees or charge entry.
But we just don't have any money.
Gerlinde Berchtold, SPD councilor
Vice-Mayor Günther Eibl (CSU), who represented town hall chief Klaus Heilinglechner as chairman of the meeting, was in the same direction.
A deep hole has opened up in the administrative budget, and savings potential has had to be identified over the past few weeks.
Tax increases in these times are the wrong signal, instead it was agreed to postpone investments "and reduce grants".
The city “has to remain able to act”, Forster seconded, “it just never works”.
He suspected that the municipality would have to cut back voluntary services at least in the medium term.
Wolfratshausen: City wants to build a new teaching swimming pool
On behalf of the citizens' association, Helmuth Holzheu emphasized the importance of water rescuers. But the city treasury is currently not giving more than the said 5184 euros. Holzheu pointed out, however, that Wolfratshausen should shoulder part of the operating costs of the intermunicipal pool in Geretsried - and wants to build a new teaching pool as part of the expansion of the Hammerschmiedschule. Last but not least, Wasserwacht and DLRG would benefit from these investments.
Heinloth did not give up: 15,000 euros were "peanuts" compared to the donations made to other associations and organizations. The third mayor held up the mirror to the committee: The delay in the mammoth Hammerschmiedschule project triggered by cultural advisor Alfred Fraas (CSU) cost the city “3000 euros per day” due to the general increase in building costs. And: During the non-public budget consultations, the Greens group named “many savings opportunities”, but the majority of them were not supported.
15,000 euros for the water rescue service, the same amount for the DLRG: only Heinloth and her fellow party member Lobenstein voted for it.
The unanimous decision was made to transfer 5,184 euros each to both of them.
Closing words City Councilor Schnaller: "If I read through their balance sheet, the DLRG will be able to live with the amount." (Cce)
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