The budget ends with a new surplus of more than three million euros. Mayor Friedhelm Wirtz spoke of good starting capital for the coming financial year, in which further larger projects would be planned.
Income in the current year was higher than usual, which was due, among other things, to the sale of community-owned real estate. But Wirtz couldn’t hold on to the fact that the community “didn’t sell its silverware”, even if he actually wanted to stay out of the election campaign. He only reacts publicly (in the local council) to statements made publicly (at election events).
He also did not accept the accusation of “serious financial policy mistakes” or inadequate negotiations, as was reported in the press. Among other things, he repeated the arguments of the community college when selling forest property in the Voeren.
There was also no failure to take out loans when interest rates were low, Wirtz said. The major projects were simply not ready for approval at that point in time.
Demographic trend of an aging population
Referring to the low per capita debt, Wirtz stated at one of his last meetings that the municipality of Büllingen was “fundamentally well positioned”. However, the demographic trend of an aging population is confirmed.
With this development in mind, he threw a solution that had previously been discussed in the Büllingen local council into the ring: According to this, the surcharge on income tax could be reduced from six to five percent, which would benefit the young, active population; In return, the surcharge hundredths on the real estate advance deduction could be increased from 1,900 to 2,200. In the coming year, however, the tax rates that have been in effect for a long time will remain the same in Büllingen.
Friedhelm Wirtz’s extensive financial policy justification was clearly based on statements that Rainer Stoffels, as the top candidate on the “Büllingen’s DNA” list, had made at the GrenzEcho panel debate in Mürringen. Stoffels did not go into further detail in the local council. When the second budget adjustment was passed, he and Sandra Josten abstained from voting.
Flood risk management: Büllingen in solidarity
Like the municipalities of St. Vith and Burg-Reuland, Büllingen is also participating in a study on flood risk management in the Our catchment area. The study, which is intended to provide solutions, is expected to cost around 150,000 euros.
The municipality of Büllingen contributes almost 25 percent. This corresponds to the part of the pot that was made available to the three municipalities by the Walloon Region.
As Friedhelm Wirtz explained, Büllingen, as a high-altitude community, was less affected by floods and could have sat back on this issue. But you want to show solidarity with the other communities. According to Alderman Reinhold Adams, the Walloon Region has expressly welcomed this cross-community collaboration.
Mürringen School: Roof repair after fire damage
The local council also noted an urgent decision by the community council to have the roof at the primary school in Mürringen repaired following the fire damage on September 4th.
Building judge Wolfgang Reuter confirmed that they were very lucky because the neighbors (and their dog) reacted very attentively and the fire department intervened quickly. A roofer was also found very quickly to re-cover the building. “We got away with a black eye,” added Friedhelm Wirtz.
Stephan Pesch
