Budget for 2026 presented

In his speech, Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich began by focusing on the joint programme for Beckum, citing the "pioneering education offensive", daycare expansion and early childhood education, safety, housing construction and urban development. With projects such as the construction of the new Beckum fire and rescue station, the construction of the new Sonnenschule school and the expansion of childcare facilities, "we have set ourselves an ambitious programme that is largely characterised by unanimously agreed projects," said the head of administration. The approved projects must now gradually be implemented. He thanked the companies that had created the basis for Beckum's further development.

Slight reduction in trade tax

In view of the unexpectedly high trade tax income in the current year, the mayor and treasurer are proposing a reduction in the trade tax rate by 5 points to 430 points. "The local economy has made a much greater contribution than we expected. We want to set an example with the proposed reduction."

Crushing underfunding

Both Michael Gerdhenrich and Thomas Wulf denounce the structural underfunding of local authorities. The dramatic financial situation of the municipalities is not their own fault: In addition to underfunding, more and more tasks are being transferred to local authorities without being adequately funded. The trend is continuing. The reasons for this include the increase in the district levy, the municipal contribution to child daycare and youth welfare services.

"One-off financial injections do not help in the long term if the municipalities continue on their path to deficits the day after the injection," says treasurer Thomas Wulf, addressing the federal and state governments. "We are still required to keep the expenses that we can influence in check - just as we are already doing successfully," Wulf continues.

Planned annual result

The 2026 profit plan shows a net loss for the year of around 10.6 million euros. Income of 133.5 million euros is offset by expenses of 146.9 million euros.

On the revenue side, trade tax is estimated at 29.7 million euros. Key allocations are estimated at 17.5 million euros and the municipal share of income tax and sales tax at 26.8 million euros. In order to notionally balance the budget, withdrawals from the equalisation reserve (8.02 million euros) and the general reserve (2.63 million euros) are planned. Borrowing of 26.5 per cent is planned for investments.

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The following major investments (from EUR 500,000) are planned for 2026:

• Around 1.5 million euros will be spent on the new Beckum fire and rescue station in 2026.
• The roof of the adult education centre is being renovated at a cost of around 1.73 million euros. A lift is also to be installed there.
• 3.12 million (municipal share) has been budgeted for the construction of the new Sonnenschule in 2026.
• A total of around 2.42 million euros will flow into the realisation of the feasibility studies for the Albertus Magnus Grammar School and the Friedrich-von-Bodelschwingh School in 2026.
• The renovation of the Neubeckum public library and leisure centre is expected to cost 600,000 euros (municipal contribution) next year.
• The roof renovation of Beckum town hall costs 765,000 euros.
• The development of the "An der Steinbruchallee" construction area is estimated to cost around 781,000 euros in 2026.
• In road construction, the renewal of the Südring between Mühlenweg and Göttfricker Weg will cost 741,000 euros (municipal share), around 636,000 euros (municipal share) for 2 crossing aids on Hansaring and the removal of indentations and around 583,000 euros (municipal share) for the renewal of Zementstraße between Neubeckumer Straße and Oelder Straße.

Next steps
The parliamentary groups will now move on to the budget consultations. The budget bylaws are to be adopted at the council meeting on 5 March 2026.

Budget