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Is Miesbach taking too much financial risk? Critics warn of record debt

2022-03-28T09:18:36.039Z


Is Miesbach taking too much financial risk? Critics warn of record debt Created: 03/28/2022, 11:05 am By: Dieter Dorby Short of cash: Miesbach has planned a large investment program for the next few years. The critics say it's too big. © SKATA / IMAGO Record volume, record new debt - the Miesbach budget for the current year puts the district town in a precarious financial situation. Saving is


Is Miesbach taking too much financial risk?

Critics warn of record debt

Created: 03/28/2022, 11:05 am

By: Dieter Dorby

Short of cash: Miesbach has planned a large investment program for the next few years.

The critics say it's too big.

© SKATA / IMAGO

Record volume, record new debt - the Miesbach budget for the current year puts the district town in a precarious financial situation.

Saving is the order of the day again.

But that's difficult because most of the upcoming construction projects are mandatory.

Miesbach – The finance committee has now recommended with a large majority that the city council approve the figures, but not without critical words.

For example, Paul Fertl (SPD) warned of over-indebtedness, as the county seat's debt could climb from 20 million euros in January 2022 to an estimated 42.6 million in 2025.

Above all, he criticized Mayor Gerhard Braunmiller (CSU), from whom he had expected “more political leadership after two years in office”.

In any case, the new debt of 10.75 million euros is “no longer acceptable”.

Alfred Mittermaier (CSU), on the other hand, pointed out that the budget was a plan: "We will continue to have to approach what works and what doesn't.

That's the way we've always done it.” That's why some projects have already been removed.

Also read the first report on the budget:

Debt shock - Miesbach comes dangerously close to over-indebtedness

The local heating network of the town hall, library, civil servants' house and fire brigade is not fired with pellets as planned, but with a simple gas boiler.

The redesign of the market square disappeared from the medium-term planning, as did the construction of a parking deck next to the ice rink and a museum depot on the first floor of the fire station.

And the redesign of the Riviera will not be carried out all at once, but will probably be spread over several years.

Only the conversion of the heated outdoor pool, which had been planned for years, was kept on track politically, although it is a voluntary service.

Economics Advisor Perkmann defends "investments in the future"

Economics officer Florian Perkmann (SPD) also supported the budget.

"These are investments in the future," he stated, especially with regard to the renovation of the monastery and after-school care center.

"It's services of general interest, not daydreaming." For him, this also includes bathroom renovations.

"It's about the kids learning to swim.

This is an important function,” emphasized Perkmann.

And Stefan Griesbeck (CSU) warned: "I'm not happy about the debt either, but we mustn't panic."

Also read the comment on the budget:

Miesbach has to get out of debt

Michael Lechner (FWG) supported the city making “extremely extensive investments” insofar as they are classic mandatory tasks.

"But I don't think it's justifiable for museum and depot plans to be made." He also warned that the Riviera should not be overloaded.

You already have enough to do with the core tasks.

"Sometimes you have to say: It's not possible," he said, referring to the new construction of the pedestrian bridge over the Schlierach, which had only recently been decided.

As an “advocate for sustainability”, he agreed with the budget just as little as Fertl.

Anger at sale of social housing

He was particularly annoyed that the city had sold two social housing units on Wallenburger Strasse to finance a new one - but the purchase was postponed until 2024.

A circumstance that also bothered Second Mayor Astrid Güldner (Greens).

She also rated the budget as problematic, but at the same time warned Mayor Braunmiller against letting the redesign plans for the Riviera disappear into the drawer - "then you lose credibility".

Also read:

Monastery conversion will be 600,000 euros more expensive

Referring to Markus Seemüller (FWG), who had previously emphasized that his free voters wanted a “slimmed-down version” of the Riviera, Güldner recalled that he himself had asked for a streetball pitch for the green area.

Braunmiller, however, assured that the overall plan for the Riviera would be implemented "step by step" - also with the help of private donations, for which he already had some commitments.

Seemüller also suggested promoting more civic engagement.

The city still has a financial lifeline, and that is the 30,000 square meters for the extension of the commercial area north, which lie unused in the course of the ongoing extension process for the Thalham-Reisach-Gotzing water protection zone.

"I hope for the income from the sale of the land when the process is completed," said Manfred Burger (Greens).

Overall, he warned that efforts should already be made to ensure that a budget that can be approved can be launched in 2023.

"Because it would be the worst case if we couldn't continue."

ddy

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-03-28

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