Donaueschingen under pressure: 6.5 million euros deficit in the budget!

Donaueschingen under pressure: 6.5 million euros deficit in the budget!

The financial situation in Donaueschingen puts the city in a tense situation. The draft budget for 2026 envisages a deficit of around 6.53 million euros, while the ordinary income is 74.36 million euros and the expenses are significantly higher at 80.89 million euros. This is reported by the Black Forest messenger. The financial budget is also accompanied by a deficit of around 1.09 million euros. The city will therefore have to face a number of challenges in the near future.

Payments of around 19.9 million euros are planned for investments, but there is only around 7 million euros in income. In order to improve its cash position, the city plans to take out additional loans amounting to around 31.8 million euros by 2029. The debt burden is expected to rise from 6.2 million euros at the beginning of 2026 to an impressive 34.8 million euros at the end of 2029.

The 2025 budget: a turning point?

The budget for 2025 has already been approved, but the situation remains bleak. The result budget shows a deficit of 2.8 million euros. This is the first time the city has had to borrow to finance important investments. Mayor Erik Pauly makes it clear that the city is at a turning point and time is of the essence. The amounts are significant: a total of 30.3 million euros from the core budget and 8.2 million euros in own companies are earmarked for investments, such as the one South Courier clarified.

The largest project is the new secondary school building, which costs around 56 million euros and is scheduled to be completed in early 2026. But that's just the beginning: further investments of over 100 million euros in the infrastructure are planned by 2028. In order to realize these ambitious construction measures, borrowings of 26.9 million euros are expected to be required.

A look into the future

There are numerous challenges that the city will have to overcome in the coming years. The rising personnel and energy costs as well as the higher district and financial equalization levies are putting the city treasury under pressure. The district levy is expected to be 14.43 million euros in 2026, which corresponds to an increase of 1.9 million euros compared to 2025.

The establishment of new companies is of great importance for the future, as without new trade tax revenue there is a risk that city services will be restricted. Politicians from various factions agree that the city is facing enormous challenges. While FDP/FW parliamentary group spokesman Niko Reith speaks of a strenuous effort, Green parliamentary group spokesman Michael Blaurock calls for courage to invest in order to keep the city livable. SPD parliamentary group spokesman Jens Reinbolz also emphasizes that a moderate increase in trade tax could be unavoidable.

In order to deal with the financial situation, the city has already drawn up a catalog of consolidation and review measures. A budget retreat is scheduled for spring 2026, and budget discussions will begin on November 4th. The coming months will be crucial in determining the direction in which Donaueschingen will develop and whether the city can set the course for a more stable financial future.