Bestwig: Robust financial position in 2025 too - around 440,000 euros surplus instead of deficit

Bestwig. The financial situation of the municipality of Bestwig remains robust: the annual result for 2025 could actually close with around EUR 440,000 - instead of a deficit of around EUR 1.59 million as expected in the budget. "The bottom line" would be an improvement of around 2.03 million euros. At least that's what the figures presented to the municipal council by municipal treasurer Roland Burmann suggest.

The so-called "interim financial report" is presented every autumn. This extrapolates the financial developments of the current year to the end of the year. This means that the report is initially a forecast - but there are currently no foreseeable changes that point in a different direction, according to Roland Burmann: "The figures are relatively pleasing."

One important element: trade tax is flowing even more abundantly than expected in the municipality of Bestwig. The actual figures are EUR 1.5 million higher than the budget estimate. Conversely, the municipality of Bestwig has to transfer fewer district and youth welfare office contributions to the Hochsauerland district - it was not yet known when the municipal budget was adopted that the corresponding assessment rates would be lowered. The municipal administration also has to spend around 160,000 euros less than expected on payments under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Due to the very positive liquidity, there is also no need to take out investment loans - meaning that corresponding new borrowing can also be avoided.

On behalf of the CDU parliamentary group, Markus Sommer pointed out that the municipality of Bestwig has now achieved positive annual results for the ninth year in a row: "It is very pleasing that the excellent financial situation continues. The reserves, which have now grown to around 15 million euros, open up room for manoeuvre for important tasks - such as the renovation or new construction of the fire stations. Nevertheless, a restrictive budgetary policy is called for, according to Markus Sommer - in line with the principle "Save in time, you will have in need."

SPD parliamentary group leader Paul Theo Sommer also praised the "financial stability of the municipality". The budget estimate for trade tax, which he described as "optimistic", had even been exceeded: "It's down to the strength of Bestwig's companies. The economy works there." But even now, budgetary discipline is the order of the day, says Paul Theo Sommer: "The pendulum can swing to the other side again."

Katja Seidel, parliamentary group leader of Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen, reminded the audience that companies that are expected to pay trade tax also need employees who should be able to find accommodation in the municipal area. This is currently not easy - the municipality of Bestwig must therefore take more measures to create new living space.

Mayor Ralf Péus pointed out that the 2025 budget not only contains income, but also record expenses - in the order of 29 to 30 million euros. These sums had almost doubled since the beginning of his term of office. He personally questioned whether further increases were possible, said Ralf Péus: "We should see that we can maintain this level of income as far as possible" - especially as many expenses could hardly be influenced by the council and administration.

The municipal council had already unanimously approved the 2024 annual financial statements - with an annual surplus of 5.96 million euros. This sum will now be added to the so-called "equalisation reserve" of the municipality of Bestwig - a kind of financial buffer that could be needed in the future to compensate for possible negative annual results.