As of: March 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m
By: Raffael Scherer
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Save or earn more: Ottenhofen is looking for potential to bring the household into shape.
One option is to raise taxes.
(Symbolic image) © Tobias Hase/dpa
Save or earn more: Ottenhofen is looking for potential to bring the household into shape.
One option is to raise taxes.
Ottenhofen - Without much ado, Mayor Nicole Schley (SPD) got to the point during the preliminary consultation about Ottenhofen's financial situation: "The rosy times are just over at the moment." She made it clear that this was not the municipality's fault, but that it was leaving at the expense of the war in Ukraine and the associated price increases everywhere.
From personnel costs to energy prices, everything is moving up in price: “We now have to see what we can make of it.”
It quickly became clear to the finance committee with treasurer Günter Gels: either savings would be made – or more would be raised.
Otherwise it would not be possible to completely cover the planned budget.
The committee first feverishly looked for possible savings measures in the draft budget.
From the cleaning lady in the construction depot to the individual dog stations, the committee questioned every sum listed and made cuts where it seemed possible.
Schley promised, among other things, to make sure the library was OK.
After all, there are one or two magazines that have been subscribed to for decades and that hardly anyone reads.
Some copies are also available both online and in print, although one of the two would be enough.
It's true that this often only involves two to three-digit amounts, but small animals also make a mess.
The committee found that there is no potential for savings when it comes to school buses and kindergartens.
On the contrary, for categories such as wastewater and electrical systems, you almost have to calculate with even higher costs to be on the safe side.
The cemetery fees would also have to be recalculated after four years.
Treasurer Gels noted that last year the people of Ottenhofen had significantly saved water compared to the previous year, which is why around 10,000 euros less was expected anyway.
Stefan Reischl (CSU) mentioned that this was related to the wet summer.
After all, livestock farmers alone account for ten percent of Ottenhofen's total water consumption.
After the red pencil could only alleviate the symptom but not heal the wound, the committee agreed: There needs to be more income.
That's why they considered setting up a speed camera trailer.
It could be a 24 hour hit to the speedsters' wallets.
“The people of Ottenhofen generally drive sensibly, and anyone from other communities who races through would be hit,” Schley reasoned.
But even a speed camera marathon alone wouldn't be enough.
Ultimately, we have to address the unpleasant topic of tax increases.
Since we take care of the concerns and complaints of citizens, we also have good arguments, said the mayor: “Wishes cost something.
Our school is equipped with iPads and the children receive excellent training, so that has to be worth something.”
Schley gave the meeting members homework to address the issue of speed camera marathons and a justified level of tax increase in property taxes A and B as well as trade tax in their parliamentary groups until the next local council meeting.