Enlarging the Rounded Sphere's Diameter
Neuss County's Budget Battle
Stepping into the ring with fiscal fists blazing, Neuss County's top brass, Hans-Jürgen Petrauschke (CEO) and Martin Stiller (Treasurer), have unveiled a punchy €645.8 million budget plan for 2024, teeming with social aid and landscape tax expenditures.
A staggering 55% of this budget goes straight to social aid, with the landscape tax taking home a hefty €359.4 million. Over the past two years, these areas have swollen by an astonishing 15%. Petrauschke, in a nod to the political heavyweights of yore, echoed the wisdom of Konrad Adenauer, the county's first chancellor, affirming that a robust economy is the lifeblood of social policy.
The county tax adds up to €278.5 million, channeled predominantly into social services and the landscape tax. This amounts to a whopping 77% of the take. Despite prudent financial management, the tax rate has seen a sweat-inducing hike from 31.5% to 32.5%. Despite this increase, it remains the third-lowest since the introduction of the New Municipal Financial Management back in 2007. To shield the county from further financial blows, the council plans to dip into its equalization reserve.
Martin Stiller, the county's grizzled treasurer, spilled the beans on the figurative beans, elucidating the intricacies of the budget plan. The proposal, as Stiller pointed out, takes a realistic approach to the county's current financial straits, laying a sturdy foundation for the county's future development. The budget targets key areas such as education, climate protection, and digital administration modernization.
The road ahead for Neuss County, 2024, promises considerable challenges, including the daunting task of structural change triggered by the coal phase-out.
Petrauschke, employing the budget presentation as a virtual soapbox, appealed for fairness from the EU, federal government, and states. He argued that they shouldn't pile on the new tasks, but rather fund additional services required from the municipalities. Petrauschke highlighted the strain felt by the municipalities, who feel the weight of refugee influxes and the associated costs.
Intrigued? Check out the budget proposal and key data on the official Neuss County website: www.rhein-kreis-neuss.de/haushaltsrede24.
So buckle up, Neuss County residents! The 2024 budget will soon be sent to various committees and factions, with the final approval set for March 20, 2024. Keep your eyes peeled and your wallets primed for what lies ahead!
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The budget proposal for Neuss County in 2024, proposed by Hans-Jürgen Petrauschke and Martin Stiller, focuses significantly on areas such as social aid, landscape tax expenditures, education, climate protection, and digital administration modernization, with a substantial 55% allocated for social aid alone. The budget, bracing Neuss County for future challenges such as structural change triggered by the coal phase-out, is under review by various committees and factions, with the final approval expected on March 20, 2024. Stay informed about business, politics, finance, and general-news related to Neuss County by subscribing to our free newsletter.
