“Every supposed benefit will tear holes somewhere else”

There was an impressive atmosphere in the Dresden council chamber: demonstrators who had been standing on the town hall forecourt for hours to protest against the city’s austerity plans could be clearly heard in the hall.

Well over a thousand people had gathered there when Mayor Hilbert defended his “lists of atrocities” against criticism in the hall for over half an hour. Flashlights kept shining into the hall, whistles and clear contradictions could be heard again and again. What priorities Hilbert still wants to set – and from his point of view must.

“Heavy debates in advance”

Right at the beginning of his speech, Hilbert referred to the demonstrators. “We hear that the draft budget has already triggered a lot of emotions and heated debates in advance,” said the mayor, who therefore wanted to explain his view of things in particular detail and did so calmly and objectively.

Regarding the initial situation: Because the costs for personnel and social services continue to rise, Dresden is running out of money. Significant savings should be made accordingly. Mayor Hilbert himself brought up the possibility of postponing the TV tower renovation. The funding planned for this will flow into the reconstruction of the Carola Bridge.

In addition to the postponement of the new building of the 101st high school on Cockerwiese and the Gorbitz high school, the construction of the Campus Cordis community school is also in jeopardy. The Roman Bath will be renovated later; the Klotzsche swimming pool will not be built initially. Dresden will not extend the rental agreement for the Elbamare leisure pool.

Millions of euros have been lost in social, cultural and sporting areas. Structures that have grown over the years would have to be abandoned. Among other things, Safe Dresden’s St. Petersburger Strasse addiction counseling center and medical help for people without residence status as well as “Fit in the Park” are about to close.

In return, Dresden will raise more money by reducing daycare fees, increasing parking fees and raising property taxes. There have been bitter demonstrations against the city’s austerity plans for weeks.

Dresden is running out of money

Although the state capital will spend almost twice as much money in 2025 as it did ten years ago, that is hardly enough. For example, the costs of accommodation for socially disadvantaged people have risen by 17 million euros per year, 16 million euros more are due for educational assistance and eleven million euros for care.

Personnel costs in the town hall are also increasing. 560 million will be paid out in 2025, 66 percent more than ten years ago.

Against this background, Hilbert instructed all mayors to submit their own savings suggestions. The “lists of atrocities” presented were also the joint work of all mayors, including those from the Left and the Greens. “All members of the council have set their priorities in a way that seems correct from their professional perspective,” said Hilbert.

Hardly any room for voluntary spending

In his speech, Hilbert made it clear that Dresden must use all its strength to fulfill mandatory tasks; this is also required by the city’s audit office. “The fulfillment of mandatory tasks, especially in the social sector, leads to massive cuts in all voluntary tasks,” emphasized Hilbert.

Without the additional revenue planned by the administration, the budget cannot be financed without taking on debt. This is no longer permitted in Dresden since the Woba was sold.

Hilbert warned against deviating from the spa policy and called for help from the federal and state governments: “Every supposed political benefit will tear holes elsewhere.”

Tough austerity measures in the town hall too

The mayor made it clear that he would not agree to any of the requested 660 new positions in the town hall. If more staff actually need to be hired in individual offices, savings will have to be made elsewhere.

If the union prevailed with its demand for up to ten percent more salary, up to 400 positions in the town hall could not be filled.

Despite the austerity measures, money will continue to be spent. Educational infrastructure is the top priority. Around 260 million euros will be made available here by the end of 2029. A total of 260 million euros will flow into road and bridge construction.

Why daycare fees should increase

In 2014, 3,410 euros per child per year had to be contributed from the city budget. Now it is 4,900 euros.

“Consequently, the division is proposing a higher, significant contribution from parents.” And it is also clear: If you as a city council do not want to take this step, then at the same time it must be clearly stated where the money should otherwise come from,” continued Hilbert. He also held the responsible mayor, Jan Donhauser (CDU), responsible.

Austerity measures at DVB and no swimming pool

According to Hilbert, because the federal and state governments do not stand by their promises, for example with the Germany ticket and the education ticket, the Dresden transport company (DVB) is missing up to 20 million euros per year. Long-term financing is no longer simply secured.

The city council must “deal with the question of whether we can continue to order the same services from DVB as before.”

Being honest with the citizens also means saying: “We cannot afford to build a new swimming pool at the moment,” emphasized Hilbert.

Farewell to favorite projects – and the Buga?

Hilbert said again that Dresden can no longer afford to reopen the television tower – and criticized the Free State, which announced at short notice that it was not possible to reallocate the funding.

Hilbert: “In view of the almost empty coffers in the country, I feel that sticking to rigid funding structures sends the wrong signal.” The money is not being spent where it is needed.”

Hilbert spoke out in favor of sticking to the Federal Garden Show (Buga), but a “reduction” in the goals was “necessary”.

“An unreasonable expectation for the citizens”

Emotionally, Hilbert made it clear that he had received “wild insults and threats” in the past few days. “I want to make one thing clear at this point: This budget draft is based on law and order.” First and foremost, it reflects the mandatory tasks.” Nobody in the town hall intentionally cut funding in areas such as culture, youth or welfare.

“I will not accept the assumption that we are only targeting the areas of youth, culture or social affairs with this plan.” This is wrong.”

However, the “unreasonable demands on the citizens” are necessary in order to keep Dresden able to act, to secure economic growth and to make provisions for the future.

SZ