Vienna fights with rising fees: What does that mean for the citizens?

Vienna fights with rising fees: What does that mean for the citizens?

On December 17, 2024, there was a significant debate in the Vienna municipal council about the future financial burdens of the Viennese. Strin Mag. Isabelle Jungnickel from the ÖVP expressed that the Valorization Act, which entails automatic fee surveys, will continue to burden the people and companies in the city. From January 1, 2025, the fees for garbage, water and channel will increase, which Jungnickel sees as a contribution to inflation. In her opinion, the city government has taken 600 million euros through these automatic increases in the past four years, but this would not be used. It requires a fee brake and the suspension of the Valorization Act, which is of little approval.

political reactions and examination by the Court of Auditors

grin Mag. Andrea Mautz from the SPÖ countered and pointed out that Vienna was a leader in general services and that the fees for special services remain favorable compared to other cities. The city development center, originally founded in 1920 as a control office, now highlights the financial situation and indicates the need for a comprehensive supervision. According to GR Wolfgang Seidl (FPÖ), various services, such as the homeless accommodation of the "Head of Vienna", have suffered from financial cuts in recent years. The Court of Auditors also examined the promotion of 24-hour care and calls for a uniform regulation in order to counteract impending undersupply. Grin Barbara Huemer from the Greens joined this warning and emphasized the need for concrete steps to improve the care infrastructure in Vienna.

In terms of Vienna Energie, Lehmann Scharmützler, the emergency competence of the mayor and the non -transparency were criticized when the money was allocated. GR Dr. Markus Wölbitsch (ÖVP) asked for more control and transparency in the decision -making process of the municipal utility and emphasized the need for better risk management. He recalled that the “Black Friday” made Vienna Energie necessary to adapt the governance guidelines. In the reports of the Court of Auditors, the importance of efficiency and insightfulity is emphasized, which of many mandatars, including Dr. Kurt Fuckerbecher (SPÖ), which emphasized the importance of control and the need for reforms, is supported. In this debate it becomes clear that the Court of Auditors takes up a key role in the Enlightenment and improvement of financial practices in the city, as can be seen on the website of the Vienna City Cold Technology Court.