Dortmund's Finances and Budget – A Look at the Budget Planning and Decisions in April 2026

Budget Planning in Focus – How Dortmund is Financially Positioned for the Future

The city of Dortmund has been actively engaged in budget planning in recent years to ensure long-term financial stability. April 2026 was a particularly active month in this context: numerous decisions were made, resolutions were revoked, and investments were approved. In the Innenstadt-Ost district committee, topics such as market fees, investments in schools, cultural projects, and funding gaps were of particular importance.

Market Fees and Increasing Funding Gaps

The usage fee for daily traders at Dortmund's weekly markets remains at €1.55 per square meter, unchanged since 2024. Nevertheless, a steadily growing deficit is evident: the expected underfunding for 2026 amounts to approximately €666,819. The city is planning three funding options starting from 2027, including an increase in the fee to €3.01 to fully cover the costs. Additional burdens on the budget arise from rising electricity flat rates and infrastructure expenditures, with additional costs of up to €229,336 per year expected until 2030.

Investments in Schools and Barrier-Free Infrastructure

Another focus in April 2026 was the financing of investments in the education sector. The Kerschensteiner Elementary School received approval for an urgent inspection at a cost of €4,800. At the same time, projects for the barrier-free design of stops and school bus stops were discussed, although no grant funding was available. The renovation at the Kronenburg stop was revoked since line 400 no longer serves it. The cost for a renovation of a school bus stop amounts to €74,000 – an investment financed from consumption funds.

Culture and Association Support: Funding Programs and Budget Planning

Cultural work remains a central point in Dortmund's budget planning. For 2026, a funding program called "Cultural Work in the City Districts" was initiated. Events such as the cultural activities at the St. Martin parish are part of this initiative, with no entrance fee charged, but donations are requested. The Junior Card, a project to support young cultural actors, was allocated €10,000. The city also plans to continue actively processing funding applications for association projects.

Maintenance Reserves and Fire Safety – Financial Challenges

The maintenance reserves of the city of Dortmund amounted to approximately €8.39 million by the end of 2025. For the year 2025, €241,101 was withdrawn from these reserves, with the result account burdened by €584,313. In the fire safety sector, expenses of €67,156 were incurred in 2025, and no further investments are planned for 2026. Both reserves are part of the city's long-term financial planning, although current funding programs such as "Gute Schule 2020" can no longer be used.

Outlook: How Dortmund Must Shape Its Financial Planning

Dortmund faces the challenge of financially securing the increasing expenditures in the areas of education, culture, and infrastructure. The planning for the years 2027 to 2030 shows that the city must either raise fees or mobilize additional funds from other sources. At the same time, the long-term financing of investments – especially in the education sector – is crucial to ensure infrastructural conditions for the future.

Budget planning in Dortmund is therefore a key component to continue making the city livable and financially strong.