As of: March 25, 2024, 5:23 a.m
By: Josef Ametsbichler
Comments
Press
Split
The cash situation in Aßling is tense.
(Symbolic image) © IMAGO/xB.xSchubertx/xFuturexImagex p_konto_4206
The community of Aßling is in financial difficulties.
To combat this, tax increases and tough cuts are being considered.
This is where an external debt advisor comes into play.
Aßling
– The community of Aßling is in financial trouble.
This is likely to have consequences for local taxpayers: there is a risk of tax increases and a cross-list.
To provide an outside perspective, the community brought a debt advisor on board - on the recommendation of the legal supervisory authority in the district office and "due to the extremely tense budget situation, which is getting worse from year to year".
Third Mayor Sebastian Brilmayer (CSU) describes the view of the municipal cash situation during the budget discussions as “sobering”.
And Mayor Hans Fent (independent) says: “The requirements and mandatory tasks are pushing us to the limits.”
Expensive mandatory tasks: Debt advisor should find savings options
The municipality is now investing almost 7,000 euros in a municipal consultant, with a daily rate of 1,047.20 euros, who is supposed to take an external look at Aßlingen's finances and, as the mayor also admitted to EZ on the phone, may find it easier to cut the costs .
The goal: The community should remain solvent in the coming years.
Loans that were taken out during the zero interest phase for urgent projects are gradually expiring and need to be replaced - the current bank conditions are almost four percent.
In addition, the district levy increases year after year.
“This is painful for us,” says the mayor.
There is a lot going on in Aßling, he points out.
The multi-million dollar conversion of the sewer system, renovations at the school, the creation of lunchtime care by 2026 - all mandatory tasks in order to tackle the renovation backlog.
To this end, the community is investing in the new residential area on Glonner Straße and in more businesses in the oil field;
which should pay off in the medium term, but currently costs money.
The new canal also entitles the community to “improvement fees” in the future, “but not immediately,” says Fent.
Tax increases are being discussed
Therefore, the municipality is now targeting trade tax and property tax.
“We will discuss the current assessment rates of 330 percent,” says Fent almost word for word with the third mayor.
Even if both know that tax increases “are a double-edged sword,” as Brilmayer puts it, there is a risk of alienating taxpayers altogether.
Brilmayer also mentions club subsidies, the reduction of which must necessarily be discussed.
“Many small steps and savings” are needed in order to achieve a sustainable cash position in the coming years.
Aßling will probably be surprised by what other red pencil potential the municipal consultant notices.
The recommendations contained in the District Office's legal supervision consolidation plan give an idea of the possibilities: “Restriction to unavoidable, legally binding tasks,” it says, for example.
“Optimization of the administrative organization”, “exploitation of all income opportunities”, “deficit and voluntary municipal institutions”.
Projects such as the relocation of the sports center from Büchsenberg to the land in the south of the town that was purchased in 2018, it sounds like during the EZ research, will probably be further delayed, although the planning requirements are in place.
The waiting list of wishes that cannot currently be fulfilled is growing.
My news
Skoda's novelty with a combustion engine impresses fans - read “It's sustainable”.
Motorcyclist from Munich has to return on foot - and takes out anger on construction yard employees
The wave of bankruptcies continues: cult beverage manufacturer is insolvent
After a devastating olive oil test: Kaufland and Edeka are withdrawing products from circulation
The European entry into nuclear power – Germany is left out in the cold
Deutsche Bahn announces drastic changes to regional trains
Legal supervision: “Trying to work with communities”
Johanna Brunner, head of the legal supervision department in the district office, emphasizes: “We try to work with the communities.” For all sides, it’s about getting a budget that can be approved.
The supervisory authority can take “special circumstances” into account, such as the expensive sewer work in the Aßlingen case.
The district office does not want to comment specifically on cost items, also because budget approval is pending.
“We see this as teamwork,” says Brunner.
Ultimately, it is important to ensure the solvency of the town halls.
VHS on the test bench
A deadline is Tuesday, April 9th.
Then a special meeting is scheduled in Aßling, at which Mayor Fent wants to finalize the 2024 budget.
The first painful change could already be coming: Membership in the municipal education association with Grafing, which costs a high five-figure amount annually, is under scrutiny.
In plain language, it's about the music school and VHS offering.
Savings negotiations are currently underway.
(By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Ebersberg newsletter.)
If this fails, the municipality of Aßling could terminate the contract by the end of March.
Third Mayor Brilmayer is hoping for a different solution because music schools and adult education are important to him: “I'm glad that we're going this route and haven't just created a fait accompli.” However, it's clear to him that there are many issues close to his heart municipal council give.
And not enough money for it.
You can find more news in our brand new Merkur.de app, now in an improved design with more personalization functions.
Direct download, more information can be found here.
Are you an enthusiastic user of WhatsApp?
Merkur.de will now keep you up to date via a new WhatsApp channel.
Click here to go directly to the channel.