Osterholzer finances: surprising plus, but remain high debts!

Osterholzer finances: surprising plus, but remain high debts!

Osterholz, Deutschland - The financial challenges of the Osterholz district remain strongly in the focus despite positive developments. According to a report of the Weser-Kurier is the current deficit of the district at over 28 million euros, which corresponds to nine percent of the total. However, treasurer Florian Hinzelmann reported gratifying news for the first quarter of 2025: there is an increase of at least 2.87 million euros that could catch the negative financial development to a certain extent.

Despite the positive turnaround, the long -term perspective remains unclear. It is still open whether the forecast deficit can be reduced by more than ten million euros. The preliminary annual financial statements for 2024 shows a minus of 17.2 million euros, which further reduces the reserve from the previous year's surpluses. A shortfall of EUR 27.7 million was originally planned for 2024.

causes and developments

The financial difficulties are not new. At the beginning of the year, the district even needed a cash loan for six million euros for the first time since 2016. Positive factors in the past year, as unexpectedly high interest income and lower interest burden, were able to bring some relief at short notice, but the basic problems remain. For example, fine income was underestimated by EUR 0.5 million and transfer income in the social sector by 2.4 million euros.

At the same time, vacant positions and illness -related vacancies of around one million euros were saved on personnel costs. Nevertheless, unique special effects are promised for 2025, including additional income of 0.45 million euros retrospectively from 2020 and another 140,000 euros in the current year. In addition, expenses in the area of ​​citizenship and the costs for accommodation and heating remain under the expectations.

public finances in Germany -wide context

A look at the German finances shows that the expenditure and income of public budgets have grown continuously since 1950. According to the Federal Center for Political Education In almost every year between 1950 and 2023 the expenditure during the Corona-Pandemie And the energy crisis. In 2023, a financing deficit of minus 92 billion euros had to be recorded, which is the five highest deficit since 1950

In addition, the debt of the state in 2023 rose to a maximum of 2,446 billion euros, which corresponds to a per capita debt of 28,949 euros. These figures illustrate the persistent challenges that public budgets are facing in Germany while trying to maintain social security and necessary services.

The financial developments in the Osterholz district are therefore not only a local phenomenon, but also reflect the general problems of public finances in Germany, in which it is necessary to find innovative solutions to improve the budget situation. Kämmerer Hinzelmann is optimistic that rising fine income, including by buying a speed camera trailer, can contribute to financial stabilization.