Compromise reached in city council / Final decisions for 2021 to 2024 announced
The Riedstadt city council, the birthplace of Büchner, voted by a large majority on Thursday, May 22, 2025, to discontinue the collection of street improvement fees. This ends years of political dispute over the financing of road repairs. Going forward, these projects will be financed through the general budget – accompanied by an increase in property tax B of 120 points to 1,105 percent .
The proposal was based on a compromise motion by CDU parliamentary group leader Michael Fraikin , which was approved by 24 city councilors. Only three voted against it, and nine abstained. A second, formal vote on amending the tax rate statute was passed with 25 votes in favor.
The final street improvement charge notices are still to come
assessment notices for the years 2021 to 2024 still be sent to property owners. The collection of recurring street maintenance fees will only be completely abolished from January 1, 2025.
However, the city makes it clear that the additional funding from property taxes is insufficient to implement all planned measures. Therefore, only a reduced implementation of the road renovation program is possible for 2025.
Advantages of the new solution
The compromise not only ends the political stalemate but also the long-standing dispute over the legally mandated, unequal distribution of costs across the city districts. Recurring fees had to be collected in separate billing areas, which had led to considerable dissatisfaction.
CDU parliamentary group leader Fraikin emphasized in his explanation that the new model for a fairer distribution of costs across the city budget . Furthermore, he stated that no new burdens were to be expected for decades, given that areas like the Philippshospital .
Impact on tenants and owners
Unlike previous street improvement charges, which only affected property owners, the increase in property tax B also be passed on to tenants . At the same time, some institutions, such as churches, municipalities, and sports clubs, exempt from property tax. These imbalances were also addressed during the discussion.
(RIEDSTADT – RED/PSR)
