Biberach gives two million euros to municipal utilities to save the pools!

Biberach gives two million euros to municipal utilities to save the pools!

Something is happening in Biberach – the Stadtwerke Biberach (SWBC) has reason to be happy. The local council unanimously decided to support the SWBC with a compensation payment of two million euros for the years 2019 to 2024. As the Swabian newspaper reported, this step is a response to the financial challenges facing the municipal utilities.

The municipal utilities had originally foregone compensation payments because liquidity was secured thanks to equity capital and investment income. However, several extensive construction measures and the retention of profits from the utility Ewa Riss have changed the situation. Now, for the first time, an application is to be made for loss compensation for the pool area, while deficits in the parking area are to be offset through higher fees. The pool companies could be in financial trouble, as losses between 2019 and 2024 amount to around 7.4 million euros.

Financial support for pools and digitalization

In order to maintain pool operations, SWBC will not only receive the compensation payment for 2025, but also an equity injection of 415,000 euros for the conversion of the parking guidance system and parking processing in city parking garages. These subsidies are not planned for in the 2025 budget, but financing will be secured through higher trade tax revenue. A survey among local council members shows that the importance of the pools and park offerings for citizens is recognized, and a proposal states that without subsidies the entrance fee for the outdoor pool would have to be 20 euros - a significant bonus considering that the municipal utilities themselves contribute 14 to 16 euros per guest.

Digitalization in parking garages is also causing rising costs, which highlights the need for financial support. Local governments are faced with the challenge of creating digital infrastructures that not only meet current conditions, but are also future-proof. According to a study on digital services of general interest, many municipalities in Germany are not yet optimally equipped to meet the needs of their citizens - a topic that is becoming more and more important, as is the case TO confirmed.

The role of municipal utilities in public services

The municipal utilities take on important tasks that are usually structurally deficient. The local councils have recognized the need to establish stronger partnerships between public administrations and companies. Such collaborations are crucial for the modernization of state and administrative structures as well as for sustainable urban development. In this context, the SWBC has a central role in digital transformation and ensuring fair participation of all citizens in the new digital offerings.

For many people, the pools and park facilities in Biberach are a place of relaxation and gathering. The city is committed to maintaining these offers in the future and to creating the financial framework for this. But there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the city of Biberach is an attractive place to live.

Finally, it remains to be hoped that the planned measures will bear fruit and Biberach will make the necessary leap into the digital future, where access to public services is guaranteed everywhere. The local council's decisions show that there is a clear will to overcome the challenges.