High investments in schools, climate protection, roads and city center

However, planning for the following years would not become any easier: "With the knowledge we have today, an approvable budget for 2024 and beyond is only possible with the utmost budgetary discipline," said Wilhelm. The rise in energy prices posed new financial challenges for the city. "Like everywhere else, the city's ongoing operating costs are also rising due to high inflation. In addition, the economic situation remains uncertain. For this reason, the scope for new projects remains extremely limited and we must continue to budget very economically." City Treasurer Wilhelm announced that 25 percent of all administrative budget items will remain blocked and will only be released on request if actually required.

Thanks to clear prioritization, however, there is now an approved budget that will enable Offenbach to continue to shape and develop as a "city on the move", Wilhelm continued: "The fact that this is possible is the result of a great deal of hard work and budgetary discipline." With savings of over 50 million euros in medium-term planning, it has been possible to prevent a property tax increase of 250 points. "The entire city administration played a major role in ensuring that we were able to avoid further burdens for citizens. I would like to thank everyone who made this result possible," said Wilhelm.

The city has its sights firmly set on the most pressing challenges, according to the city treasurer: "The past few economically good years have brought many positive developments in Offenbach. The city must continue to support these positively and also consistently develop the business location itself. The course for this has been set at Kaiserlei and on the Innovation Campus, for example. In the long term, there is an excellent prospect that many new jobs will be created in Offenbach, which will also improve the revenue situation for the city." But there are also negative developments, according to Wilhelm: "That's why the budget contains funds to be able to react to the changes in the city center."

A central goal for years has been to provide equal educational opportunities for growing children: "We are once again investing a large proportion of the funds in good schools and classrooms and we are also providing an enormous amount of money for the operation of daycare centers. Other objectives include an increased commitment to climate protection, the provision of further millions to secure the current public transport services, as well as money for business development, culture, sport and social interaction," said Wilhelm.

Thanks to the approved investments, the school building renovation program can now be continued as planned. Money is also available for the renovation of roads and sidewalks, which will be processed according to a priority list. This year, 120.1 million euros have been budgeted for disbursements in the investment sector. "This means Offenbach is investing more than ever before. The focus of the city's investments is on schools and daycare centers. These are record investments in education and thus in the future of the citizens of our city," says Wilhelm.

In total, the city will provide a record sum of 95.9 million euros for construction measures in 2023 - mainly for the expansion and renovation of schools and daycare centers and for the urgently needed new high school. For example, around 36.5 million euros will be invested in the Bieber-Nord educational complex and around 32.0 million euros in the Lindenfeld integrated comprehensive school. The Friedensstraße daycare center will receive a new building for 7.6 million euros. Other major investment measures include the renovation of the Main dyke, the implementation of air pollution control requirements and the gradual renovation of the Waldschwimmbad swimming pool, which began last year with the construction of a new air dome. "However, the investments in education, which are important for the city of Offenbach, are leading to significant additional burdens due to the sharp rise in interest rates. This will also make the 2024 and subsequent budgets very challenging," says Wilhelm.

"In order to continue to make the city as attractive as possible despite financial and structural challenges, we are accelerating the future concept for the city center and strengthening business development to increase trade tax in Offenbach," says Wilhelm. "The Kaufhof closure shows how important it is to continue the climate and weather workshop in a central location and to relocate the city library to the heart of our city center." The city is also examining how it can help steer the development of Kaufhof and other city center properties in the future.

The fight against old debts and for better financial resources for local authorities remains important. "Here, the Lord Mayor and I are involved in central committees to relentlessly convince the federal and state governments of their responsibility to ensure that the municipalities remain financially efficient and that the gap between rich and poor in our country does not widen further and further. People have a right to expect that the development of our country is equal and fair and that living conditions do not depend on which city you live in." The changed economic conditions only make a solution to these issues even more urgent, Wilhelm concluded.

Image information:

The photo shows City Treasurer Martin Wilhelm. Photo: City of Offenbach / Thomas Lemnitzer.