Mannheim Approves Austerity Measures to Save €18M Annually
Mannheim's city council has approved austerity measures to save 18 million euros annually for the next three years. The move aims to tackle a significant financial deficit and meet state-imposed targets.
The city faces substantial financial pressures, including mandatory climate-neutral infrastructure investments, rising operational costs, and a trade tax revenue deficit. Additionally, Mannheim is contributing to a 205 million euro hospital project and covering around 60% of soaring childcare costs, which have tripled in a decade.
The austerity package, supported by CDU, SPD, FDP, and Mannheim List, targets various areas. Subsidies for aid organizations and youth sports will be reduced but maintained. The youth centre in Feudenheim and the local library in Friedrichsfeld will stay open. The city administration will streamline operations by reallocating job positions to new tasks.
The 'Mannheim Future Budget' includes cost-cutting measures like reducing city park services, increasing entrance fees, and abolishing short-distance public transport tickets. Municipal cultural institutions will adjust opening hours and fees, with fewer special exhibitions.
The austerity measures aim to reduce Mannheim's deficit to around 375 million euros by 2028, meeting the state government's requirement to avoid a 600 million euro deficit. The childcare fee discount abolition will be gradual, ending in September 2027.
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