Only a few visitors came to the citizens' meeting, which Mayor Josef Niedermair (left) saw as a good sign: "Apparently there is nothing to complain about," he commented on the response. © Austria
Although the municipality of Hallbergmoos is in a good financial position, Josef Niedermair, head of the town hall, urges thrift. The reason for this is declining revenues.
Hallbergmoos – Solar parks, housing and money: Broken down into three keywords, these are the outstanding future topics of the municipality of Hallbergmoos. But even the leader among the district municipalities in terms of income and population development is gradually having to step on the brakes. This was made clear by Mayor Josef Niedermair at the citizens' meeting.
If just 40 visitors come to the citizens' meeting, this is always a good sign for the head of the town hall – "because there seems to be nothing to complain about," as he said. On the development of the community as a whole, he said: "We are growing steadily, but not too fast." In June, it will almost certainly break the 12,000-inhabitant mark. This also includes the refugees: On 16 May, the first 20 people moved into the new accommodation in the MABP. People from 94 nations live in the village, and the proportion of foreigners remains unchanged at around 23 percent. "This has been the case with us for many, many years," the mayor appealed to welcome the new citizens and guests in the usual manner.
(By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Freising newsletter.)
The average age of the "young community" has risen again – to 39.5 years. There are 962 schoolchildren living in Hallbergmoos, of whom 458 attend primary school and 209 attend secondary school. Niedermair reported a little relaxation in the daycare centers: Mathematically, there are 1038 places in crèches, kindergartens and after-school care centers, but only 787 could be allocated due to the shortage of skilled workers. "There will be 36 additional crèche places in the autumn. In the kindergartens, we can offer a place to all three-year-olds."
"We have to drive on sight. Revenues are decreasing," Niedermair warned, referring to the commercial payers, one of whom, SAP, is turning its back on the municipality. You have a comfortable cushion (74 million euros), but this because of a one-time special payment (50 million euros). However, such a "six in the lottery" is no longer to be expected. For 2023, the trade tax rate has been reduced by a third to 23 million euros. Money will be needed for major projects such as the residential building on Predazzoallee and the Goldach fire station (twelve million euros each), school building renovation and daycare deficit compensation (six million euros each).
According to the collective bargaining agreements, the salaries of the 150 municipal employees will rise from eight to nine million euros per year. Around 30 million euros in district levies, public transport contributions and around half a million euros in voluntary benefits put an additional burden on the budget: "We have to get off the gas. It's lapping together."
An important topic for the future is the energy transition and thus the three planned solar parks. At the end of June, the district council will decide on the largest project of the Höflinger Müller company (37 hectares): "I'm fighting with angels' tongues" and "I'll take a close look at who raises their hand in the district council meeting," the community leader said. In Freising, one could probably imagine a temporary removal from the landscape conservation area. However, opinions differ on the connected commercial unit (three hectares): Höflinger wants to relocate its company headquarters to Hallbergmoos - including a logistics building, e-truck fleet, service station, public e-charging station and large storage facilities. The project is met with enthusiasm by citizens: "That's what common sense says, that you say 'yes'" and "It's logical that the company must also have a benefit," emphasized one visitor. Niedermair wants to continue persuading people – and called on the population to do so. If all else fails, one could think about a citizens' initiative.
Eva Oestereich
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