Provides details on the execution of the program, as per the Commission.
In a budget speech, Mayor Peter Boch has presented the investment plan for Pforzheim for the fiscal years 2024 and 2025, which totals 113 million euros. The outlook, however, is not rosy, with falling tax revenues, rising costs, and a high investment need.
The budget, spanning 985 pages, outlines several key investments. 14.5 million euros are allocated for the expansion of road and cycle path infrastructure, and development of new residential areas. A significant portion, 20 million euros, is planned for school investments in the education sector. The digitalization of the city administration and the Smart City process is reserved 12 million euros, while around 8.5 million euros are allocated for the expansion of childcare.
The Municipal Ordinance Service, which is expected to cost an annual contribution of 1.4 million euros according to the original plans, is expected to remain. Additionally, an extra 10 million euros are reserved for "strategic land purchases". The municipal "Stadtbau" capital is to be increased by 7 million euros.
Mayor Boch has proposed tax cuts and a reduction in the trade tax for companies. The trade tax rate is set to be reduced from 445 to 440 points, resulting in a decrease of around 1.1 million euros in trade tax revenue per year. No new positions will be listed for the offices after agreement with the works council and the individual personnel councils.
The budget must be discussed and ultimately decided by the council, requiring the passing of a budget ordinance. Future investments will partly be financed with credit due to the economic situation.
The budget plan shows a clear deficit, with negative results of minus 9.8 million in 2024 and 34.3 million in 2025 expected in the result budget. Mayor Dirk Büscher, in his budget speech as finance chief, states that "We must do something together for the future."
The personnel department of the administration is an area that should be scaled back in the upcoming dual budget. Currently, 300 positions in the city of Pforzheim are unfilled due to a lack of suitable candidates.
For those seeking comprehensive details, it is recommended to consult the official Pforzheim city website or contact the city's finance department directly. These official documents normally detail the exact financial allocations per sector and project for the fiscal years involved.
The mayor believes that every euro companies have additionally is a well-invested euro and a sign of appreciation for the city's traders. 10 million euros are designated for the districts. However, neither will these forecasts generate the regular amortization payments, nor can the result budget contribute to the investment program.
As the budget is still under discussion and subject to approval by the council, further details may be revealed in upcoming council meetings. Stay tuned for updates on Pforzheim's budget and investment plans.
- The digitalization of the city administration, the Smart City process, school investments, expansion of road and cycle path infrastructure, development of new residential areas, expansion of childcare, strategic land purchases, and the municipal "Stadtbau" capital are all business investments outlined in the budget.
- The budget reveals that future investments will be partly financed with credit due to the economic situation, and there is a clear deficit, with negative results of minus 9.8 million in 2024 and 34.3 million in 2025 expected in the result budget. Politically, Mayor Boch has proposed tax cuts and a reduction in the trade tax for companies, and Mayor Dirk Büscher, in his budget speech as finance chief, stated that "We must do something together for the future."
