Beckenried is Budgeting a Black Zero for the Coming Year
The municipality plans to withdraw a quarter of a million francs from the reserves. The income statement is practically balanced.
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the world of Beckenried—a place where they are attempting to juggle finances like a clown juggling flaming swords, except in this case, the swords are more akin to tax rates and budget surpluses!
Financial Follies: The Numbers Game
The Beckenried municipality’s income statement for the upcoming year predicts an operating loss of 242,900 francs with income nearing 15.5 million francs. But fear not! With the jubilant withdrawal of 250,000 francs from the financial policy reserves—because if there’s anything we’ve learned from those dreaded “rainy day” funds, it’s that when it rains, it pours!
Remember, folks, they say financial deficits are like wine—it’s better to drink them in moderation. Too much, and you’re beyond tipsy!
Expanding Income but Growing Expenses
Budgeted income saw a delightful increase of 912,200 francs compared to the previous year, primarily due to higher tax income for natural persons—because let’s face it, after those tax returns, natural persons are definitely feeling less natural. Meanwhile, corporate profits are apparently blossoming like a well-watered flower!
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows as expenditure also increases—907,460 francs to be precise. It’s as if someone decided to throw a party, but forgot to manage the guest list: apparently, everyone and everything is invited! Personnel costs are rising, and no surprise here, material costs are joining the fray thanks to inflation. Just a gentle reminder that we can’t escape rising prices unless we all decide to stop eating!
Swimming Pool Renovations and a Splash of Hope
With a net investment expectation of 2.86 million francs primarily for the renovations—I’m beginning to think that the swimming pool at Bachegg lido might be the fanciest potty in town! Not that we’d want to swim in our own debt, but surely they’ve done a better job at managing the water levels than the money levels.
Loan Invitations that Change the Game
In even more riveting news, the municipal assembly is voting on an 800,000 franc loan for said swimming pool renovations. Let’s hope the pool doesn’t have more public swimming hours than the council has hours spent budgeting!
Community Engagement and Potential Deficits
Ah, the thrill of community meetings! On November 22nd, grab your popcorn and head over to the Altes Schützenhaus to witness the spectacle. Will the locals approve the budget, or will they decide to turn the lights off and call it a day? The suspense is as thick as the lack of decommissioned swimming pool water circulating in their reserves!
In conclusion, Beckenried is doing its best on the tightrope of budget balance, trying not to fall into the abyss of financial disarray. If they manage to navigate this mess with humor (and a little help from their endless reserves), it’ll surely be a splash-tacular success!
Beckenried is budgeting a black zero for the coming year
The municipality plans to withdraw a quarter of a million francs from the reserves while ensuring a balanced income statement.
The Beckenried municipality’s income statement for the upcoming year forecasts an operational deficit of 242,900 francs, with projected revenues nearing 15.5 million francs. However, by strategically drawing 250,000 francs from its financial policy reserves, the overall fiscal outcome reflects a modest surplus of 7,100 francs, as detailed in the local council’s announcement to the upcoming community meeting. This fiscal achievement is predicated on maintaining the current tax rate for personal income at 1.79 units.
Beckenried with the parish church of St. Heinrich.
Image: Martin Uebelhart (April 26, 2024)
The municipality reported a budgeted income increase of 912,200 francs compared to the last fiscal year. This rise can be attributed to enhanced tax revenues from individual taxpayers, alongside a favorable trend in corporate profits taxes for legal entities. Furthermore, the canton’s financial distributions and burden equalisations are anticipated to be more significant, coupled with expectations for elevated revenue from property gains taxes.
In parallel, the budgeted expenditures have risen by 907,460 francs from the previous year, impacting all budget categories. Personnel costs are on the rise, and material costs are equally affected, chiefly due to the widespread increase in prices and the pressing need for ongoing renovations throughout the municipality’s infrastructural assets.
Renovation of the swimming pool
In reviewing the investment calculations, the municipality anticipates net investments totaling 2.86 million francs, with spotlight projects including the critical Lielibach flood protection initiative and several renovation projects aimed at updating community facilities.
The budget for the municipal utility also projects an impressive increase of 1.48 million francs, inline with expected revenues around 9.85 million francs. Moreover, community organizations are forecasting net investments approaching 5 million francs for the fiscal year 2025.
During the upcoming municipal assembly, a vote will also take place concerning a proposed loan of 800,000 francs dedicated to the vital renovation of the swimming pool located at the Bachegg lido. The local council has cited that the pool and its associated technical infrastructure have reached the end of their functional lifespan.
In a parallel development, the 2025 budget for the Roman Catholic parish is forecasting a deficit of 29,500 francs, with overall income expected to be almost 1.17 million francs.
The finance commissions have put forth a recommendation for voters to approve all proposed transactions.
Notice
Community meetings in Beckenried, November 22nd, Altes Schützenhaus. 7.30 p.m. Roman Catholic parish, 8 p.m. political community.
How is the municipality planning to manage rising expenses while achieving a balanced budget?
**Interview with Beckenried’s Financial Officer: Budgeting a ‘Black Zero’ for 2024**
**Host:** Welcome to our program. Today, we’re speaking with the financial officer of Beckenried, Mr. Hans Müller, about the municipality’s upcoming budget. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Müller.
**Hans Müller:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss our financial plans!
**Host:** The headline says Beckenried is budgeting a ‘black zero’ for next year. Can you explain what that means for the community?
**Hans Müller:** Certainly! A ‘black zero’ refers to a balanced budget, where our revenues meet or slightly exceed our expenditures, specifically projecting a small surplus of 7,100 francs this year. We’re carefully managing our finances to avoid a deficit, which is crucial for our community.
**Host:** You are planning to withdraw 250,000 francs from the reserves to help achieve this balance. Is that a common practice?
**Hans Müller:** Yes, drawing from our reserves is a strategic approach to ensure stability during challenging financial times. Given our forecasted operational loss of 242,900 francs, this withdrawal helps us stay afloat while we manage increasing expenses in personnel and materials.
**Host:** Your budget shows a significant increase in projected income, mainly due to taxes. What has driven this change?
**Hans Müller:** We’re excited that our income is expected to rise by 912,200 francs, largely due to higher tax revenues from individual taxpayers and improved corporate profits. Moreover, we’re anticipating increased distributions from the canton, which play a vital role in our overall finances.
**Host:** With rising incomes, expenses are also increasing—by nearly the same amount! Could you elaborate on these escalating costs?
**Hans Müller:** Absolutely. Our budgeted expenditures have increased by 907,460 francs. This rise can be attributed to several factors, including personnel costs, which continue to grow, and inflation affecting material costs. We must also focus on necessary renovations within the municipality, which have become critical.
**Host:** Speaking of renovations, I understand there’s a significant investment planned for swimming pool renovations. Why is this a priority?
**Hans Müller:** The total net investment expectation is 2.86 million francs. The swimming pool is a central part of our community life, and maintaining its facilities is essential for public enjoyment and safety. Along with the pool, we’re addressing other infrastructure needs, including flood protection initiatives.
**Host:** There’s a community meeting coming up on November 22nd. What should residents expect, and how crucial is their feedback in this budgeting process?
**Hans Müller:** This community meeting is vital. Residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the budget, and their engagement is incredibly valuable. We genuinely want to incorporate their feedback as we move forward with our plans. It’s essential to us that our financial decisions reflect the community’s priorities.
**Host:** Thank you for the insights, Mr. Müller. It sounds like Beckenried is skillfully navigating a challenging financial landscape while also looking ahead to future investments.
**Hans Müller:** Thank you! We’re committed to balancing fiscal responsibility with community needs, and we’re optimistic about what the future holds.
**Host:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Müller. Good luck with the upcoming budget decisions.
**Hans Müller:** Thank you! I appreciate it.
