In an interview with our newspaper, Königsdorf's Mayor Rainer Kopnicky talks about money, red pen and his hopes for 2023.
Königsdorf – There is a lot going on in Königsdorf.
In 2022, the municipality started construction of the new sports hall including a building for lunchtime care.
At the same time, another major project, the expansion of the building yard, is underway, which should be completed next spring.
And then the municipality - due to its topographical location - had to implement the first improvement measures for flood and heavy rain protection.
Financial feats of strength for a village of 3,000 people at a time that is not easy anyway due to war, pandemic and inflation.
Mayor Rainer Kopnicky does not deny this in the annual interview with our newspaper, but sees his community prepared for the challenges.
Mr. Kopnicky, the bottom line is that last year was a major crisis year. What was the most decisive experience for you?
First of all, of course, the Corona situation.
It wasn't clear for a long time how it would develop.
I thought it was right that everything was then relaxed.
However, it is unclear whether we are completely through with the pandemic, given the recent events in China.
The most decisive event for me, however, was Russia's attack on Ukraine with all its consequences - such as the suffering of the people there, but also the effects on our lives such as the accommodation of the refugees.
And the crisis is accompanied by price increases due to the onset of inflation.
Refugee accommodation in Königsdorf: Mayor Kopnicky knows - "It won't be easy"
You mentioned the refugee situation. District Administrator Josef Niedermaier has announced that all communities will have even greater responsibilities when it comes to accommodating people - especially since the influx of asylum seekers from Arab and African countries is increasing sharply again. Can Königsdorf do more?
Before the topic popped up so big again, we still had some breathing room in the accommodation on Rossmoosweg with its just over 30 places.
Now almost all are occupied.
You have to say: A private person built the accommodation, it is managed by the district.
We also currently have 36 refugees from Ukraine in our community, most of whom are accommodated privately.
We will discuss at the next municipal council meeting whether we have the opportunity to build more accommodation, as the district administrator wishes.
It won't be easy, we as a community are not exactly blessed with our own free plots of land.
Not only the people are suffering from the current price increases, but also the municipalities. Königsdorf has expensive projects in the making – with a tight financial situation. Do you need to worry?
We put a lot of things to the test in the past year and then increased the property and trade tax as well as the water charges as of January 1, 2023 as measures.
Of course we have to make sure that we cover our costs.
As far as school transport is concerned, the companies are gradually approaching us because of the high fuel prices.
We have to plan for that in the budget as well.
We had fixed tenders for the gym and after-school care, so inflation doesn't have such an impact, even if you have to reckon with small supplements.
When the roof is on and everything is sealed in the spring – by the way, the construction is going absolutely according to plan – we will make a checkout.
Only then will we put the next trades out to tender.
Maybe prices will stabilize.
We want the budget of 7,
2 million euros if possible.
In addition, there is a borrowing of 4.1 million in the next budget, and we do not want to go beyond that.
Interview with Mayor Kopnicky - "Increasing social spending is critical"
The increasing district levy – Königsdorf now pays 2.2 million euros a year – was a recurring cause for criticism in the council meetings.
The increasing expenses in the social sector - youth welfare, care and and and - are financed through the levy and are indeed critical.
Likewise the local public transport.
In my opinion, the district must examine both carefully for savings potential - although I am aware that this is difficult.
Perhaps this is possible with public transport, even if it is undoubtedly an important issue.
You have to cut corners somewhere.
Saving on public transport is likely to be a sensitive issue in times of advancing climate change.
I know.
But I have to be able to afford it all.
The financial room for maneuver of the municipalities will eventually be exhausted.
That's why you have to look at where something can still be optimized or saved.
(By the way: everything from the region is now also available in our regular Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter.)
Keyword climate change, but another point: Heavy rain events flooded parts of Königsdorf in 2020 and 2021. The sewer inlets – also blocked by leaves and hailstones – were no longer able to absorb the enormous amounts of rain. Last year, the municipality took the first structural measures to remedy the situation. How satisfied are you with the current state of affairs?
We have done a lot within the scope of our financial possibilities and will continue to keep the topic in focus.
The only thing is that the price increases in this area also weigh on us.
That's why we can only do something on a case-by-case basis.
As a municipality, you cannot afford to completely enlarge the passages of all pipes.
As you know from the meetings of the municipal council, it is not for nothing that we demand of every building contractor that the surface water on their own property is allowed to seep away and does not flow into the public street drainage.
Club life in Königsdorf: "People want to participate more in social life again"
Have the construction measures in Niederham already passed a stress test?
Not until now.
Thank goodness it hasn't rained that heavily since it was completed.
The system withstood everything that came down.
You mentioned that you are happy about the relaxation of the pandemic regulations. Is community and club life going back to normal in Königsdorf?
It has become more lively, as can be seen from the many registrations for events.
For example, the boys' club opened a mulled wine stand at the Schusterwirt on Friday evenings during Advent and Christmas.
It has been very well received.
You can feel that people want to participate more in social life again.
In the sports club, the number of participants is also increasing again.
The TSV offers table tennis youth training again on Tuesdays, and 15 children and young people come.
On the other hand, halls in the district are closed to sports because of the occupancy of the refugees - like those of the BCF in Farchet.
That's why we table tennis clubs - although opponents in the league - try to organize a joint training session in a free hall.
For me, that is living togetherness.
What does City Hall boss Rainer Kopnicky want for 2023?
That social cohesion is getting stronger again.
That club life and also cultural life, which Königsdorf has always been strong in, is flourishing – even if the corona development in China worries me a bit.
For us as a community, I wish that we can complete our construction work financially well.
For me it is very important that we can offer the people of Königsdorf the necessary infrastructure.
And what does private citizen Kopnicky want? More time?
Not really, because I like what I do.
That's why the wishes I just mentioned go seamlessly into private life.
If I have time, I try to do my sporting activities - table tennis and soccer referee.
Oh, something else comes to mind: I wish for peace in Europe and the world.
And as mayor and private person, I wish that we find and create solutions for our energy supply - in harmony with nature compatibility and environmental protection.
You can find even more current news from the region around Wolfratshausen at Merkur.de/Wolfratshausen.