Environmental Protection Directive Proposal Demanded from Commission
In Kaarst, Germany, despite managing its finances independently following the avoidance of a financial stabilization concept (FSC), Mayor Ursula Baum faces a mountainous workload, struggling to meet consolidation goals. The city's expenses are expected to increase from about 47.4 million euros (2024) to a projected 53.5 million euros (2025). In response, eliminating certain perks like reduced subsidies for clubs and cultural events, cancelling New Year's receptions, and new or adjusted tax types, will result in a budget relief of around 200,000 euros for 2025. Yet, this falls short of addressing the growing expenses.
Mayor Baum pleads for support from district, state, and federal governments, sharing her concern that as a member city, Kaarst funds many district surcharge initiatives it can no longer afford. She urges these authorities to critically review district surcharge voluntary services to relieve cities in the district surcharge, and for the federal and North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) state governments to grant them more say in refugee accommodation. Overextended and unable to impose more hardships on local citizens, Baum calls for help to achieve financial stability.
To support Kaarst in achieving financial stabilization and addressing Baum's concerns, several strategies could be employed:
- Optimize Transfer Payments and District Surcharges
- Assess and, if needed, renegotiate transfer payment formula with state or federal authorities.
- Review the district surcharge to ensure it remains fair for residents, possibly rebalancing it to alleviate financial pressure and maintain essential services.
- Refugee Accommodations and Support
- Pursue additional federal and state funding for refugee support.
- Develop community integration programs for refugees, empowering them to become financially self-sufficient through vocational training, language classes, and job placement services.
- Economic Development Initiatives
- Boost local economic growth by supporting small businesses, promoting tourism, and investing in infrastructure.
- Collaborate with nearby cities like Düsseldorf to tap into resources and expertise, driving innovation and technology for new job opportunities.
- Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
- Investigate energy-saving measures like photovoltaics or renewable energy sources to save costs on public facilities and potentially generate income through energy sales.
- Implement smart city technologies to optimize energy consumption and waste control, further reducing costs.
- Collaboration and Partnerships
- Foster inter-municipal cooperation with neighboring municipalities to share resources and expertise.
- Engage with private companies for investments or sponsorships in community projects, offsetting costs and generating additional funds.
By establishing a task force and conducting regular financial reviews, Kaarst can efficiently implement these strategies and adapt efforts as needed, working towards financial stability and meeting Mayer Baum's challenge head-on.
- To address Mayor Baum's concerns about financial stability in Kaarst, it would be beneficial to optimize transfer payments and district surcharges by reassessing the formula with state or federal authorities and reviewing the district surcharge to ensure it remains fair for residents.
- In addition, exploring avenues for increased federal and state funding for refugee support, along with establishing community integration programs, can empower refugees to become financially self-sufficient, potentially easing the financial burden on Kaarst.
