Financial crisis in Grabowhöfe: Mayor warns of tax increases!

Financial crisis in Grabowhöfe: Mayor warns of tax increases!

In the small community of Grabowhöfe, it looks financially dark. Mayor Enrico Malow (CDU) invited the concerned citizens to talk about the precarious budgetary situation. Around 200 citizens from seven districts followed his call. At the meeting, the serious challenges became clear that the 1300-soul community faces. The rejection of the municipal budget by the Mecklenburg Lake District district is particularly alarming, which significantly clouds the perspectives of the community. According to the information from SVZ.de , the mayor has already brought tax increases, in particular property tax B, for new income Generate.

The second significant source of income represents the commercial and agricultural tax. While for 2023 it could still be decided not to increase the property tax, Malow sees a need for action for 2024. "We are responsible for our citizens," explains Malow, who also points out that there is hope for support from Berlin. However, this help could "be long in coming", as he emphasizes.

challenges through construction projects

In addition, the financial situation of the municipality is complicated by the construction plans of the Deutsche Bahn. The unresolved question of financial participation in the amount of over three million euros for the construction of a new bridge on the Berlin-Rostock route is in the room and threatens to plunge the community into an even deeper crisis. The legal supervision of the district administration has already prohibited further expenses, which further tightens the situation, as . Even the fulfillment of compulsory tasks is currently a challenge for the community.

The problems described are not just isolated cases. More and more mayors in Germany are reporting similar difficulties that are tightened by rising social spending and additional unfinances of the federal and state governments. According to a flash survey by the German Cities Day, 37% of the cities cannot present a balanced budget. The President of the German City Day, Markus Lewe, emphasizes that the time of the balanced households is over and demands concrete measures to stabilize local finances from the new federal government. The need for a reform of the debt brake is also loudly discussed, which also becomes clear in the ( On June 24th, the municipal council of Grabowhöfe will meet to approved the budget for 2023. In view of the tense situation, the citizens hope for positive decisions that can give their small community a perspective. Until then, it remains to be seen whether the necessary support from politics is to be expected or whether Grabowhöfe continues to balanced on the brink.