District council debate: Mayor warns of financial burden!

District council debate: Mayor warns of financial burden!

In the district budget debate on November 3, 2025, the mayors and district council members are in the front line. They express sharp criticism of the renewed increase in the district levy, which is to be raised to cover the district's unmet financial needs amounting to 34.54 million euros. This levy has a direct impact on the financial situation of the district's communities and leads to concerns about necessary investments in areas such as the museum, the music school and the adult education center. A discussion about the district levy assessment rate, which is 49.29 percent and has been increased by 2.02 percent, creates additional tension.

District levies are payments that municipalities make to their district to cover its financial needs. Since districts do not have their own tax jurisdiction, they are dependent on these levies. According to Wikipedia, they have three main functions: They ensure the financing of all district tasks, help reduce the differences in financial strength between the municipalities and influence the efficiency between the district and municipalities. The current situation, which the mayor sees as financially burdensome, is all the more alarming.

The strained finances of the municipalities

The financing plans come against the background of a widespread crisis in municipal finances in Germany. According to a report from the Bertelsmann Foundation, tax revenue will have stagnated in 2024 due to a weak economy. Personnel expenses, material costs and social benefits are increasing unabated, which particularly calls into question the ability of municipalities to act. Brigitte Mohn, the foundation's board member, emphasizes that the structural problems, especially in the area of ​​social spending, remain unresolved.

In addition to the financial pressure, the district council members draw attention to the fact that the municipalities bear around 50 percent of public investments. They are therefore crucial for social cohesion in society. There is a great need for action: a state reform is called for in order to secure the tasks of the municipalities and to clarify the responsibility for financing. This is the only way that municipalities can continue to fulfill their tasks in the future.

An outlook on the challenges

With the assessment rate of 49.29 percent, the level of the district levy remains at a critical level. Fortunately, an originally planned rate of 50.91 percent was reduced, but uncertainty remains. Municipalities have to prepare for increasing burdens, while at the same time investments are visibly falling. The discussion about the financial future of the municipalities belonging to the district will certainly continue in the coming weeks and months.

The current situation represents a challenge that poses new questions for everyone involved: How can the financing of municipal tasks be secured? What specific measures need to be taken to stabilize the financial situation in the long term? The increase in the district levy shows once again that there is an urgent need for action in municipal financial policy.

The district council members and mayors will continue to have to struggle for solutions that enable both the supply of citizens and the financial leeway of the communities. Another breeding ground for debates that will stay the course in the municipal landscape.