Arendsee in financial distress: Budget 2025 rejected!

Arendsee in financial distress: Budget 2025 rejected!

Things are currently high in the small town of Arendsee because the budget for 2025 has not been approved by the Altmarkkreis. This news came during the summer break and caused excitement among city officials. The deputy mayor Michael Niederhausen confirmed the rejection and made it clear that without a valid budget only the mandatory services can be provided. The budget had to be revised at the end of March due to an unexpectedly higher deficit of 100,000 euros. The city then received a positive vote on May 28th, but that was not enough. The complaint from the Altmarkkreis was aimed at a lack of a consolidation concept in the medium-term financial planning, which poses a major challenge for the city. Official statements on the reasons for the complaint have so far been a long time coming. Mayor Norman Klebe is already warning that the financial situation could become critical from 2027 if costs continue to rise. However, Arendsee still has the opportunity to object to the complaint.

Meanwhile, not far away, the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel has a completely different financial situation to report. On July 4, 2025, the state administration office approved the district's budget statutes and 2025 budget planning. This marked the end of the interim budget that had been in force since January. The planned projects can therefore be implemented from July 9th, 2025. The budget balance was achieved through a withdrawal from reserves. District Administrator Michael Zimprich noted that preparing the budget this year took more time than usual because there was a comprehensive participation process with the cities and municipalities.

Important investments for 2025

The approved budget includes income of 168,975,375 euros and expenses of 177,712,143 euros, with a deficit of 8,736,768 euros, offset by reserves. Special investments are planned for 2025, including:

• Raumzellenerweiterung an der Ganztags- und Gemeinschaftsschule Lessing in Salzwedel: 3 Mio. Euro für 2025, 2 Mio. Euro für Folgejahre.
• Sanierung/Neubau der Feuerwehrtechnischen Zentrale in Salzwedel: 527.000 Euro für 2025, 7,3 Mio. Euro für Folgejahre.
• Brandschutzkonzept im Jahn-Gymnasium in Salzwedel: insgesamt 1,8 Mio. Euro, davon 1 Mio. Euro für 2025.
• Tiefbauprojekte, die vollständig durch Fördermittel finanziert werden, darunter:
• Teilstück der K1.117 Kusey – Immekath: 1 Mio. Euro.
• Brücke Rockenthin: 1,6 Mio. Euro.
• K1.386 Badel – Zierau zur L11 und K1.381 Amt Dambeck: insgesamt 945.000 Euro.
• Radweg K1.002 zwischen Salzwedel und Gerstedt: 200.000 Euro.

The budget statutes and the planning were approved in the district council on June 23, 2025 and promptly submitted to the state administration office. This approval requirement includes, among other things, a credit authorization of 4,328,000 euros to ensure solvency, which does not exceed the legal limit and is therefore not subject to approval.

Outlook and challenges

The situation in Arendsee is reflected in a larger context, because budget planning at the municipal level aims to create a healthy financial basis for future tasks. Budget planning principles such as economy, efficiency and thrift ensure that all resources are managed responsibly. The budget plays a central role here: it is not just a simple statement of income and expenses, but also serves as a binding basis for the budget management of the entire administration.

The current developments in Arendsee and the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel show how complex and challenging municipal finances can be. The city of Arendsee in particular is now under pressure to consolidate its financial structure and avoid future bottlenecks. Meanwhile, the Altmarkkreis is planning new projects with an extensive investment program aimed at positive development in the region.

The challenges are great, but there are also opportunities to improve the financial situation in both Arendsee and the Altmarkkreis in the coming years.

For further information, the full details can be found at az-online.de and [altmarkkreis-salzwedel.de]. Additional insights into municipal budget planning are provided by fmoev-nrw.de.