Waidhofen in the financial crisis: fees increase, future unsafe

Waidhofen in the financial crisis: fees increase, future unsafe

In Waidhofen, the city government faces financial challenges, which became apparent through a current report by the Lower Austrian state government for the building inspection. The report recommends reducing expenses, in particular by increases in fees for public institutions such as water, the city hall and the leisure center as well as by cuts in voluntary financial support. Such measures are necessary to consolidate the city finances and maintain the critical infrastructure.

The Financial City Councilor Thomas Leberersorger (ÖVP) presented the report in the local council last week. The meeting was shaped by a heated debate in which FPÖ city councilor Gottfried Waldhäusl in particular pointed out the pressing problems. Waldhäusl emphasized that the report evidence that the household of Waidhofen was no longer resilient and appealed to the city government to address the causes of the decline in the main residents since 2020. Over 200 inhabitants have left the city in recent years, which has a negative impact on municipal finances.

controversy in the municipal council

In addition, Waldhäusl accused the city government of having pushed ineffective projects such as the Heli-Dungler settlement that would unnecessarily burden the budget. He described worrying problems that occurred in the event of flood events and questioned the need for such construction projects. Vice Mayor Martin Litschauer (Greens) countered the criticism by pointing out the responsibility of Waldhäusl in the area of flood protection, which in his opinion had failed to initiate critical projects in the past.

Mayor Josef Ramharter (ÖVP) relativized the situation and explained that 40 percent of the municipalities in Lower Austria were currently in a precarious financial situation. The falling income shares and increasing levies would also burden the city. However, Ramharter emphasized that Waidhofen is currently showing a positive influx balance sheet, even if the birth rate was negative. The city must attract and improve the quality of life to reverse this trend.

future prospects and necessary steps

In order to stabilize the financial situation, Ramharter announced that the municipality had to send a statement on the building view to the state government within three months. A constructive solution must be found in order to avoid further savings and to open up additional financial sources. SPÖ councilor Franz Pfabigan called for the discussion not to lose in arguments, but to look for solutions together.

The municipal council is now faced with the task of carefully planning the measures taken and thereby consider the interests of the citizens. In view of the current challenges, the city government is expected to make rigorous decisions in the near future in order to get the finances under control and to increase the attractiveness of Waidhofen. More details on this topic can be found in a recent report www.noen.at .