We continue our series:
Wednesday, the 4th. On 1 December 2024, a public meeting of the municipal council took place in Dernbach from 7 p.m. The Group Together for Dernbach informs about the most important topics and discussions.
Property tax rates
The mayor explained that due to legal requirements, the rates of the property tax must be decided later this year. The proposal for a decision of the administration provides that the rates unchanged to leave. A review and possible adjustment could take place in the first half of 2025.
Discussion: Is it necessary to adjust due to the land tax reform or not?
- Roswitha referred to Calculations by the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Finance, which are intended to ensure consistent tax revenue. However, these are not taken into account in the proposal for a decision.
- The mayor argued that the federation of municipalities and towns recommends that the current lifting rates be maintained and only increased if necessary.
- Manuel He also stressed that Dernbach does not want a tax increase. However, it is already foreseeable that the reform will lead to a loss of revenue. For Dernbach, the Ministry of Finance has already calculated which lifting rates are necessary to compensate for this. A later decision on higher lifting rates was unnecessary, as the figures are already available. Manuel noted critically that apparently at the local mayor's conference it was decided to postpone the adjustment.
Counter-arguments of the CDU group: One member thought a quick decision was premature, as pending court decisions could still have an impact on the calculations. Another stressed that two changes in a row could confuse citizens.
voting
The local council voted 2 abstentions for the maintenance of the lifting rates.
Subsequent update
We asked the Association of Municipalities and Towns: The basis of calculation will not change in the coming months. 98 % the assessment notices are final, so that an adjustment is foreseeable in the first half of 2025. Thus, the Council is expected to have to increase the lifting rates by July 2025 in order to avoid an imminent loss of revenue.
Planning a Friedgarten
The mayor presented the planning for a new Friedgarten. The draft was prepared by a planner who answered the questions of the municipal council members at the meeting. Intended is a easy-care area, on which urn graves are arranged around trees. A significant part of the implementation is to be carried out by the building yard (own contribution); Paths should only be mown and (according to the plan sketch) provided with individual stone slabs.
Discussion: Accessibility, design and transparency
- Stefan G. and Alessa pointed out that the lack of accessibility was problematic, especially for people with walkers or wheelchairs.
- Some CDU members also supported the establishment of fixed paths; Other members defended the concept: It is reminiscent of a Friedwald; There is also freedom of choice for graves.
- Several council members expressed concerns about tree selection.
- Manuel emphasized that Together for Dernbach, the concept is generally welcomed, as the demand for care-free urn graves has increased. He would like to express his thanks to the planner, who carries out his work on a voluntary basis. At the same time, he criticized the fact that trees were already planted before the municipal council decided on the project. Manuel also pointed out several points to be clarified, including the exact total costs – for example, the water point, the stealing or the application of topsoil are still not taken into account as well as the ongoing care costs.
The mayor said that this was not intended as an anticipation of the Council's decision. A tree and a pedestal were donated by the planner. Manuel reminded that in-kind donations, similar to donations, must be properly registered if the amount of 100 euros per year is exceeded.
Provisional decision
The local council, with one abstention, voted in favour of the further details of the project in the Building Committee to clarify.
Miscellaneous
Senior centre
The surname ‘St. Josef & St. Agnes’ of the Seniorenzentrum is deleted in favour of the place name ‘Dernbach’.
Traffic situation on the Burgweg
A residents' meeting on the traffic situation on the Burgweg takes place on 16 January 2025 instead.
Sewer rehabilitation
At the request of Stefan G. The mayor informed that the rehabilitation of the canal near the main road has already begun. The invoice is not yet available.
Construction sites Fiberglass
The CDU Group Chair criticized the traffic congestion on Kirchstraße because of the fiber optic construction site, especially in the morning. Originally, the construction sites were supposed to be completed in the autumn. The mayor stated that he had repeatedly urged the association community to do so. Alessa suggested communicating the shortcomings in writing, also to document it. The mayor promised to work again for a solution.
Video function at the town hall bell
Manuel pointed out that the video function of the doorbell at the town hall was problematic under data protection law. He called for this to be coordinated with the data protection officer of the Verbandsgemeinde. The mayor promised to take care of it.
Castle path refurbishment
One Associate recalled that the Burgweg section between railway tracks and Hoffmannsgraben had to be rehabilitated. The mayor stressed that this was an obligation of the municipality and did not need a council decision.
Correction of the minutes
Manuel asked at the beginning of the meeting for Correction of the minutes – in fact, there was a vote on the municipal centre 4 abstentions and 1 vote against.
Cozy finish
After the meeting, the members of the Council met for a joint snack. The Group Together for Dernbach Thank you to the local mayor for the invitation and the tasting.
English (UK)