“We have to save”: Schäftlarn is reaching its financial limits

Created: 01/26/2022, 11:00 am

By: Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss

Schäftlarn is growing: many new housing projects are also eating into the community's coffers.

© Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss

Many construction projects and an extremely high district levy make Schäftlarn difficult.

The announcement by Treasurer Thomas Kiendl was unmistakable: "We have to save 300,000 euros."

Schäftlarn

- But where should the cutbacks be made?

In a truly mammoth five-hour meeting, the municipal councilors of the main and finance committees struggled to find a solution.

"The administrative budget is balanced except in the financial planning year 2023," says Kiendl.

But there are still loans to be repaid, for example the loans taken out in 2014 for the renovation of the elementary school and the new construction of the crèche.

"The burden here amounts to 150,000 euros per year." In addition, the community has other plans and mandatory expenses.

For example, funds had to be raised for the housing projects on Schorner Strasse and Unteren Glasenfeld, and a further 1.6 million are planned for the residential building on Auenstrasse that is currently being planned.” This means that the repayment burden will increase to around 216,800 euros by the end of the financial planning period per year.

Many investments and final payments

The wealth budget is also not yet balanced.

"We are investing a lot in the next few years, and no additions to the administrative budget and no withdrawals from reserves have been taken into account," said the treasurer.

The reasons for this are the remaining payments for the new fire station and building yard, the conversion of the old building yard, the planned new building of the school gymnasium and the student care center as well as the Auenstraße apartment building and various vehicle purchases.

And: "In the financial plan for 2021 to 2025, neither the investment participation for the renovation or new construction of the Pullach middle school, in which we have to participate, nor the construction of a bypass road were taken into account."

Record trade tax revenue, but high district levy

However, in 2021 "trade tax at a record level" of 3.1 million was collected, and Schäftlarn 2022, as one of three municipalities in the district of Munich, is to receive a key allocation of almost 800,000 euros.

But: "Both factors are included in the calculation of the district levy and let it skyrocket for us." At the same time, the key allocations for 2023 will fall due to the increased tax power.

A reduction in the district levy rate of currently 48 percent is not to be expected.

"Because our financial leeway is getting smaller and smaller, we should also think about how we can pay for it and any follow-up costs before any project decision is made," warns Kiendl.

Ray of light is a new business

The Treasurer sees a ray of hope in the redesignation of commercial space at Am Wagnerfeld.

"The associated trade tax and the participation in income tax will be an essential part of our income and thus also decisive for the financing of future projects."

Ultimately, the administration and council members managed to achieve the required savings.

The largest item was the reduction of the sum for the maintenance of streets, paths and squares.

Here, the funds set aside from 350,000 euros to 200,000 euros.