Delmenhorst is planning transparent budget consultations: This is how you save!

Delmenhorst is planning transparent budget consultations: This is how you save!

There are signs of change in Delmenhorst: Mayor Petra Gerlach (CDU) has announced clear measures for the 2026 budget consultations to improve the city's financial situation. The plans provide for comprehensive citizen participation in order to create transparency and actively involve citizens in the process Weser-Kurier reports. The focus is on a huge deficit of over 41 million euros, which is putting pressure on the administration to make savings.

The challenge that many municipalities face today is anything but new. Especially in times when the budget is burdened by rising costs and stagnating revenues, like KGSt explained. Crises such as the pandemic, energy shortages and inflation are making the situation significantly worse. Flexible and well-thought-out management of budget planning is essential, especially now.

Fiscal consolidation measures

As part of the budget consolidation, the city of Delmenhorst presented a package of measures worth 3.28 million euros. This includes, among other things, an expectation of additional income from the dog tax of 110,000 euros, which was rejected by the responsible technical committee this week. The administration is forced to implement savings, particularly in voluntary services, since mandatory tasks are not affected.

• Der Kinderschutzbund erhält statt 18.500 Euro lediglich 5.000 Euro.
• Die Förderung der Schwangerschaftsberatung der Caritas wird von 10.000 Euro auf 5.000 Euro gekürzt.
• Das Hood-Training wird mit nur 2.000 Euro unterstützt, anstatt der geplanten 17.986 Euro.

Petra Gerlach emphasized that no “clear-cutting” was planned, but in many places citizens are already turning a skeptical ear when it comes to the announced savings. The total of all applications amounts to 145,465 euros, but only 74,500 euros are approved. Such an approach raises questions about the transparency actually sought, since the administration's grant list is not publicly accessible.

The role of citizens

A central point in Gerlach's plan is citizen involvement. Given the high deficits, it is becoming increasingly important to include the voice of citizens in the decision-making process. This approach is not only a way to get the financial situation under control, but also promotes citizens' trust in the administration.

The pressure to successfully master budget consolidation represents a lasting challenge for many municipalities. Reform compass reports that many cities are trying to achieve savings through inter-municipal cooperation. But here too there are different views: While the SPD in Vienenburg rejects cuts in voluntary services, the CDU sees potential for savings within the staffing plan, but still calls for a balance between savings and the provision of services.

The coming months will be crucial for how the city of Delmenhorst responds to the challenges. With an open dialogue between administration and citizens, it could be possible to find solutions together and achieve the necessary savings without endangering the quality of life. It remains exciting to see which paths the city will take to get out of its financial difficulties.