First double budget 2017/2018 approved by a large majority
At its meeting on 8 February 2017, the City Council adopted the budget for the years 2017 and 2018 of the City of Chemnitz by a majority (41 yes / 5 no / 0 abstentions). This was the first time a resolution was passed on a two-year budget.
With income of approx. 737.6 million euros and expenses of approx. 728.1 million euros, the result for the 2017 financial year is positive at approx. 9.5 million euros. In 2018, the income of 748.4 million euros is 0.8 million euros lower than the planned expenses of 749.2 million euros. However, thanks to the good results of previous years, the shortfall can be fully covered.
Investments in the sports sector are a focal point of the double budget: for example, the renovation of the main stadium and the marathon tower in the Sportforum are planned for 8.5 million euros. A further €7.1 million has been earmarked for the expansion of the large gymnasium and the renovation of the small gymnasium on the Reichenhainer Straße site.
7.1 million euros have been earmarked. The city council also decided to renovate and extend the 50-metre indoor swimming pool at the Sportforum for 7.8 million euros and to renovate the ice sports centre at Küchwald for 8.7 million euros.
In addition to these measures, the city will continue to improve the conditions for the care and education of young people in Chemnitz in the coming years: In addition to numerous refurbishment projects, examples of this include the planned construction of the new day care centre in Schloßstraße for 4.8 million euros and the construction of the new secondary school on Hartmannplatz for 20 million euros. In addition, an additional 1 million euros will be used for the refurbishment of school playgrounds and after-school care centres as proposed by the city council. In total, more than 370 million euros will be available for the operation of day-care centres and schools over the next two years.
The city will also invest in transport infrastructure: This includes the renovation of the Karl-Schmidt-Rottluff Bridge (Kaßberg slip road) for 2.3 million euros, the renovation of the bridge structure over the Pleißenbach in the Matthesstraße/Schloßteichstraße area for 3 million euros and the Zwönitztal cycle path for
716,000 euros.
50,000 euros have been earmarked for the restoration and conservation of the "Schilling figures", which are known beyond the city limits.
The budget will also drive forward the implementation of the theatre concept: In addition to the already decided relocation of the rehearsal stages to the city centre, a further 700,000 euros are to be made available for plans to move the Schauspielhaus to the vicinity of the Opernhaus.
City Treasurer Sven Schulze:"The decision on the first double budget was a challenge for everyone involved - and not just in terms of time. Much of what is important to us is reflected in this budget: extensive daycare centre and school renovations, major cultural and sports projects and important transport construction measures. This will enable us to fulfil the requirements of a growing city. I am pleased that the city council has made its decisions with a sense of proportion despite the many large and small requests and has not jeopardised the city's solid budget situation."
The city intends to stick to its debt reduction strategy despite the largest investment programme in recent decades. This year, 34 million euros in debt is to be repaid, while only 16.7 million euros in new loans will be taken out in the next two years.