Budget dispute in Marchtrenk: Seniors will soon no longer drive free of charge!

Budget dispute in Marchtrenk: Seniors will soon no longer drive free of charge!

In Marchtrenk, a violent budget dispute ensures dramatic effects on the city administration. From January 1, 2025, numerous discounts and offers must be hired, including free trips for seniors, grants for meals and important transport services for residents of the old people's home. The reason for these interruptions lies in the incompetent agreement of the municipal council on the budget, despite the majority of the SPÖ, which acts under Mayor Paul Mahr. Mahr showed itself as usual and described the adjoining of the budget decision as "wrong", as this makes the city unable to act until February, as was already the case of orf.at reported.

Consequences for the citizens

The residents feel the consequences immediately: previously common services, such as the 15-minute trips for shopping or drinking coffee, were set. According to Mayor Mahr, the senior population in particular suffers from the restrictions. "Due to the paid working hours for these offers, continuation has not been legally possible since January," said Mahr, who is also looking for temporary solutions to help those affected. He even plans to personally take the trips to the weekly market at the weekend.

In order to bridge an emergency budget, the contracts for construction projects were also stopped. In a determined reaction, Mahr asked his political colleagues to check savings without taboos to stabilize the city finances. A special municipal council meeting is scheduled for early February 2025, in which a sustainable budget can finally be passed, so the hope of meinzirk.at.