Gevelsberg April 2026 – Monthly Review on Integration, Planning and Finance

Opportunities for All – Integration and Structure

What Was Important This Month

• The Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration adopted new guidelines for integration projects and approved a new logo.
• The City Council made personnel changes in committees, including the appointment of new members.
• The real estate tax B will be levied at a uniform rate of 915% as of 2026.
• The Zoning Plan No. 76 "Ellinghauser Weg" was approved, following extensive expert reports and planning.
• The renovation of the Berger See is part of a new plan including school garden areas and seating options.
• The city has once again applied for funding for the renovation of the indoor swimming pool Schwimm-in.

Integration Fund and New Identity

In April 2026, the Committee for Equal Opportunities and Integration (ACI) adopted the guidelines for the Discretionary Fund. With a budget of up to 1,000 euros per year, integration projects within the city will be supported. The guidelines are binding and documented in the official document 068/2026.

Additionally, a new logo for the committee was unanimously approved. The design was created by Mr. Seyfullah Köse, who had already received approval from the members on March 4, 2026. The abbreviation ACI was adopted by the City Council of Gevelsberg on March 12, 2026.

Clear Structures in the Town Hall

The City Council made personnel and committee organisational changes. Mr. Jörg Hoffmann was appointed as a regular member of the Committee for Schools, Culture, Sports and Leisure, and Mr. Marco Mindhoff as a substitute member. Mr. Hans-Christian Schäfer was reappointed as an advisory member of the Committee for Seniors, Health and Social Affairs.

The Second Amendment to the Council's Rules of Procedure was also adopted. It expands the written form to include the "text form via email", allowing the administration to operate more flexibly in the future.

Construction Planning and Infrastructure

Zoning Plan No. 76 "Ellinghauser Weg" was approved after extensive planning and consultation. It includes a third amendment to the land use plan, a soil investigation, species protection assessment, and noise report. The public consultation under the Building Code was approved.

In addition, the renovation of the Berger See was approved. The engineering firm Knebel developed the planning proposal, which incorporated suggestions from the local community. Highlights include a bench along the fruit tree avenue, sitting rocks, and a plot for a school garden at the Georg-Müller-School.

Financing and Future

The city of Gevelsberg has once again submitted a project outline for the renovation and expansion of the indoor swimming pool Schwimm-in. The federal program "Renovation of Municipal Sports Facilities – Swimming Pools 2026" allows for federal funding up to 8,000,000 euros, which could cover up to 45% of the eligible costs.

In addition, a uniform rate of 915% for the real estate tax B was adopted. The Council reserves the right to reconsider differential rates if a legally secure regulation is established by courts. If the current regulation remains unchanged, a tax revenue risk of 0.9 million euros is expected for 2026.

Safety and Transparency

The BG prevent GmbH regularly conducts school inspections to assess occupational safety, fire protection and hygiene management. The administration proposes to present the results anonymously in future committee meetings to ensure transparency and improvement.

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Outlook and Connections

The decisions of April 2026 show that Gevelsberg was active on several levels in April: integration, construction planning, financing and committee structure. The focus lies in the promotion of social participation, infrastructure renewal, and administrative modernization.

The renovation of the indoor swimming pool and the renovation of the Berger See are examples of long-term planning that considers both sporting and social aspects. At the same time, the handling of real estate tax B shows that Gevelsberg is sensitive to legal developments and keeps financial risks in view.

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Conclusion: Gevelsberg is Building Bridges – For Today and Tomorrow

April 2026 was a month of structural change and planning in Gevelsberg. With new committees, updated financial planning and new projects, the city shows that it feels responsible for integration, safety and quality of life. The next months will show whether the planned measures are actually implemented and how the citizens perceive them.