Annual financial statements: municipal budget with a plus for 2023

In the coming week, the city of Bocholt will present its annual financial statements for the city budget for 2023. Overall, the city can look back on a solid financial year - despite the difficult economic situation.

"The solid middle class in Bocholt in particular helps us enormously with regard to the budget", says Bocholt's treasurer Jennifer Schlaghecken. Including the necessary budget supplement for 2023, the city of Bocholt closes with a plus of 6.3 million euros - in its profit plan, the treasurer's office had last expected a deficit of 17.6 million euros.

According to Schlaghecken, there are other reasons for the positive result in addition to the higher trade tax income of almost 9 million euros. For example, the city can look back on higher grants, especially from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and lower costs for refugee accommodation.

Liquidity increased slightly compared to the previous year. "This increases the financial cushion and can help the city with a view to more cost-intensive years in the future", says Schlaghecken. Nevertheless, it is important to stick to the goal of further savings, says Schlaghecken. "An economic slump can never be completely ruled out, and we must continue to invest, for example in schools", says Bocholt's treasurer. It is therefore essential to scrutinise current and planned projects for their economic viability and necessity and to identify further potential savings.