After the two-day deliberations, the faction of the Free Voters and FOR Karlsruhe is concerned about the municipal budget for the coming year. After all, the municipal council saddled the mayor’s budget with a deficit of almost nine million again with a deficit of over 100 million.
“We’ve been warning for months! At the beginning of the meeting, the Lord Mayor appealed to the municipal council about the consequences of the city’s debt,” explained the parliamentary group leader Jürgen Wenzel, “even during the election campaign the topic was discussed again and again. The consequences of this budgetary policy will hit us hard in the next 2022/23 budget.”
A focus on the challenge of the changing climate was not apparent. The majority increased social spending, decided to use public transport without a ticket for Karlsruhe Pass holders up to the age of 25 and created many new jobs in various areas. The increase appeared to be fueled by good wishes rather than sound budgetary policy. “If we continue like this, the city will face forced administration by the regional council,” predicts the faction of the Free Voters and FOR Karlsruhe.
“In the end, receivership would mean that we lose more than we gain. If the regional council takes over, some of the voluntary services will be cut for the citizens – discounts, support for clubs and much more,” warns City Councilor Friedemann Kalmbach, “we have a high standard in Karlsruhe, but more is not possible”.
Mayor Mentrup has announced that trade tax will be increased next year in order to increase the city’s income. Petra Lorenz comments: “We have always promised that there will be no tax increases with us. But beyond emergency aid, we cannot do all sorts of things for free and pay for them as a city. We have to settle businesses and thus ensure an increase in income.”
The faction of the Free Voters had spoken out in favor of only a few motions. The applications were mainly for women and children who suffer from domestic violence or exploitation, or the seriously ill.
The parliamentary group announces that it will reject the 2021 budget.
