No Halving of City Council Flat Rates: Municipal Parliament Rejects Request from FDP / Free Voters Fraction

Halle (Saale) City Council has turned down a proposal to slash allowances for elected members. The motion, put forward by the FDP/Free Voters faction, sought to halve payments for councilors and those in special roles. Officials argued that existing rates already comply with legal limits and serve a clear purpose.

The rejected plan would have cut the monthly flat-rate allowance for council members from €230 to €115. Additional payments for specific functions were also targeted: the council chair’s allowance would have dropped from €120 to €60, committee chairs from €85 to €42.50, and faction leaders from €120 to €60.

The city administration stressed that allowances must follow Saxony-Anhalt’s Municipal Compensation Ordinance. This law sets maximum amounts based on population size, role demands, and local conditions. Officials also noted that voluntary service allowances operate under a separate legal framework, requiring fairness and proportionality. According to the administration, current rates in Halle already sit below the legal maximum. Reducing them further to €115 per month would align payments with those in much smaller municipalities. The changes, if approved, were set to begin on January 1, 2026, with adjustments made to the 'municipal governance' budget. The administration made clear that allowances could not be cut purely for budget-saving reasons. Any reductions must justify their necessity beyond financial constraints alone.

The decision leaves existing allowance levels unchanged for now. Councilors and special role holders will continue receiving payments as before. The administration’s stance ensures compliance with regional regulations and maintains the current compensation structure.

No Halving of City Council Flat Rates: Municipal Parliament Rejects Request from FDP / Free Voters Fraction