A lot is happening in the municipality of Hohenlinden, which also has an impact on the finances: some larger projects, such as the construction of the new children’s home, will pose a major financial challenge for the municipality in the next few years. The debt service – among other things for the construction of the senior citizens’ home on the Abtwiese a few years ago – will restrict the financial freedom of action of the municipality in the next few years. However, important investments for other tasks remain possible, said Mayor Ludwig Maurer (ÜWH) at the most recent municipal council meeting. The 2022 budget, which was unanimously approved by the municipal council, has a total volume of 12.9 million euros.
The finances are solid, says Mayor Ludwig Maurer, but discipline in spending money is still required.
(Photo: Peter Hinz-Rosin)
As has become clear, the level of debt will not allow for any major jumps in 2022. There is not much financial leeway, and according to the mayor, the next few years will not be easy. Voluntary services should be kept to a minimum. But important investments are possible, said the mayor: “We are financially stable.” However, there are no plans to take out new loans, at least this year. Probably in the next few years – also because of the planned new construction of the childcare center next to the elementary school and parish home.
Expenditure, especially in the area of childcare, is rising sharply. The construction of the children’s home, which is planned for 2024, should enable additional childcare options. But the new building will be expensive. Funds for the purchase of land and planning costs are already planned in the budget for this year and 2023. In addition, the district levy of 2.1 million euros will have a heavy impact in 2022.
The personnel costs, which are also increasing due to the Greater Munich allowance and wage increases, are another major expense item. In addition, the levy for the school association of the Forstern middle school increases significantly due to additional offers such as the open all-day school. About 40 percent of the students there come from the community, which therefore has to pay the lion’s share.
However, the community will not be assigned a key in 2022. The many apartments and commercial properties in the municipality will again bring in considerable rental income this year. Almost all of the apartments are rented. But there are some problems in this context, as Maurer described: Because of the pandemic, the capacity utilization of the municipal Wendlandhaus with the Bürgersaal and snuggery was not as good as hoped last year. There are also commercial properties that are vacant. The pharmacy in the municipal Leiß-Haus, for example – the municipality is looking for a new tenant here: “So far, nothing has come up,” said Maurer.
The administrative budget is 7.7 million euros and thus 910,600 euros above the previous year’s level. The capital budget is planned at 5.1 million euros – in the previous year the volume was significantly higher by 2.6 million euros. Around three million euros are available for investments in 2022 – last year it was 6.5 million euros.
An important source of income is the property tax B, which is gaining in importance due to construction activity in the residential and commercial sectors. Despite the pandemic, there is still a clear upward trend, says Maurer. Increased income from trade tax is also expected.