Wetzlar Budget Hopes Rest on Leitz Park

Mittelhessen.de is reporting that "Hope Rests on Leica Camera" (in German) as the 2014 budget for the city of Wetzlar - site of the new Leica headquarters of Leitz Park - is counting on the additional tax revenues they will bring. They're already operating in a shortfall, so hopes are high for some key projects.

Translation into English (via Google):

Wetzlar (lu). The Leica Camera AG returns early next year back to Wetzlar and thus an important commercial taxpayers. This was pointed out on Wednesday night to go Mayor Wolfram Dette (FDP). He brought in the City Council a draft budget for 2014.

The result of household in which the current income and expenditure of the municipal budget are included, again, from a shortfall. With around 4.8 million euros he falls lower by 3.4 million euros this year. Nevertheless, as Bernadette, four percent of the total annual expenditure of € 122.3 million are not covered by revenue.

For 2014, the eunuch from Wetzlar's most important tax source, the trade tax revenue of around 35 million expected. This year, this position had fallen to 31 million.

That the situation in the opinion Dettes repaired, suspension significantly with the establishment of the company Leica Camera AG in Wetzlar Leitz park together, where to start work shortly on 600 employees.

Overall, Wetzlar expects next year with income of 117.5 million euros - in 2013 there are "only" 110 500 000. For this result, the anticipated increase in the daycare fees, a cost-covering wastewater fee, and improved revenue for the automaton control contribute as well as a slightly higher volume at the community share of income tax.

This is offset by additional spending, according to Bernadette. Thus, the personnel expenditures increased by 1.2 million to 37.3 million euros. Half of this increase lies in the fact that for the further development of additional under-threes-care nursery set and new jobs must be created. Also, collective bargaining and salary increases will affect the personnel costs.

"The increase in daycare fee does not even cover the additional costs from which we have additional staff in 2014 alone," said the mayor.

In addition, the city must provide around 23.2 million in levy payments to finance the Lahn-Dill district in the coming year instead of 22.6 million euros.

How Dette further pointed out, the city would invest 18.7 million euros next year. In addition to the acquisition of land for future construction and commercial areas these funds for the development of building areas such as the rattle mountain and the renewal of roads and canals are needed.

The city of Wetzlar plans to invest 18.7 million euros in the coming year

The renovation and modernization of municipal buildings is planned, as well as the purchase of new vehicles, equipment and computer equipment. These expenses are offset by revenue in the financial budget of 14.4 million euros mainly from land sales, development contributions and state grants. From this it concludes a borrowing requirement of 4.6 million euros. In 2013 there were 7.4 million euros.

In summary, Bernadette pointed out that despite the reduction of the budget deficit budgetary situation remained tense and thus economical and economic action is imperative. Only then will let reach a balanced budget in the medium term.

In this context, he made his expectations to the new federal and state government clearly: As part of the reorganization of the municipal financial equalization the interests of the city would have to be considered as a regional center and criteria are developed to not discriminate against Wetzlar.

City Council Harald Semler (FW) as Vice-President of the Hessian Cities and Municipalities and Bernadette itself as a member of the Executive Bureau of the Hessian of Cities want to use with the support of the local member of parliament in 2014 that this is decisive for the funding of the city of Wetzlar development is proceeding positively.

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