"Financial stability anticipated for Circle in the year 2024"
County Commissioner Achim Hallerbach has highlighted several areas of concern in the budget planning for County Neuwied in 2025. The county is expected to grapple with the continued reduction of liquidity debt, increased transfer payments in social welfare and youth affairs, and the cost of asylum seeker expenses.
In a recent announcement, Commissioner Hallerbach emphasized that the 2024 supplementary budget allows for the continued reduction of liquidity debt at the same rate as originally planned. However, he also noted the difficulty in maintaining this financial balance in the future. The district is expected to have approximately €75.7 million in equity by the end of the fiscal year, but no further investment loans beyond the baseline budget will be necessary during the year.
One of the main challenges facing the county is the expected increase in transfer payments in the areas of youth and social affairs. Commissioner Hallerbach expects extreme increases in these areas, which will require additional funding. The youth and family budget requires an additional 2.1 million euros for the final settlement with the city of Neuwied for its city youth office, and an additional 765,000 euros is needed for the county youth office.
Another significant area of concern is the cost of asylum seeker expenses. The supplementary budget allocated over 13.4 million euros for asylum seeker expenses, but Commissioner Hallerbach criticized the lack of commitment from the federal and state governments to take over these costs. He called for appropriate financial equipment if they deem it a permanent communal task. Special payments from the state and federal governments for asylum seeker expenses are usually made at short notice, but there is still no reliable long-term financing.
The Bundesteilhabegesetz is also affecting social welfare office and integration assistance, requiring additional funding of over 2.3 million euros in the supplementary budget. Commissioner Hallerbach also noted the need for subsidies in public and school transport, which has risen to around 15.5 million euros.
The County Council at Neuwieder David-Roentgen-Schule approved the 2024 supplementary budget, which resulted in an official budget deficit of around 4.2 million euros. However, there will be no actual payments, as the deficit is covered by the Partnership for the Debt Relief of Municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate (PEK RLP). By the end of 2024, the district is expected to have only around €14.1 million in short-term loans remaining through the PEK RLP.
In conclusion, County Neuwied is facing several budget challenges in 2025, including the continued reduction of liquidity debt, increased transfer payments in social welfare and youth affairs, and the cost of asylum seeker expenses. The district is working to manage these challenges while maintaining public service quality and balancing the budget. If precise, up-to-date details are required, official county reports, local government press releases, or regional financial oversight bodies would be the appropriate sources to consult.
In the upcoming budget for County Neuwied in 2025, Commissioner Hallerbach has noted a significant concern regarding increased transfer payments in social welfare and youth affairs, which will necessitate additional finance. Another area of concern is the high cost of asylum seeker expenses, with Commissioner Hallerbach urging for appropriate financial equipment and commitment from federal and state governments to offset these costs, as it appears to be a permanent task for the county.
