District of Paderborn in the financial crisis: compensation reserve threatens to dry up!

District of Paderborn in the financial crisis: compensation reserve threatens to dry up!

Paderborn, Deutschland - The financial Situation in the Paderborn district is dramatically pushing up! The compensation reserve could already be used up at the end of 2026 if the current trends stop. The district administration expects 625 million euros expenditure for the coming year, while the income is only 615 million euros. A clear warning signal that District Administrator Christoph Rüther cannot ignore!

"This is really a dramatic picture that emerges," explains Rüther. The risk that municipalities will get into the budget is growing. "That would be fatal!" He warns. The compensation reserve melts and it is high time to pull the emergency brake. Citizens have to prepare for increasing levies, because the municipalities will have to pay almost 247 million euros in order to cover the enormous costs.

rising costs for child protection and LWL

A particularly alarming point are the exploding costs in the area of child protection. Compared to the household ten years ago, the district must now plan over 170 percent more. At the time it was around 13 million euros, it will probably be almost 37 million euros in the coming year! In addition, a payment of 119 million euros is pressing the landscape association Westfalen-Lippe (LWL). In order to manage these enormous expenses, the Paderborn district will probably have to take over ten million euros from its own reserve. The financial situation is tense and those responsible face a huge challenge!