Viersen: 2026 Budget Plan – Between Consolidation and Investment

2026 Budget Plan: Unanimous Approval, But With Tensions

The 2026 budget plan of the city of Viersen was unanimously approved on 09.03.2026, with only one abstention (Die Linke). The decision marks a crucial step in the city’s financial planning and simultaneously reflects the strained budget situation. With an overall revenue plan, a total financial plan, and several partial plans, the 2026 budget is a comprehensive instrument that includes both consolidation and investment.

Consolidation as a Key Theme

Over the past few years, the city of Viersen has had to deal with rising costs, especially in areas such as personnel and infrastructure. Therefore, the 2026 budget includes a consolidation strategy aimed at ensuring the continuous fulfillment of tasks. A global cost-reduction target of 2% of regular expenses has been set to avoid an annual deficit.

This decision is particularly important in the context of the budget developments in 2024 and 2025: In 2024, additional expenses of €5.95 million were incurred, and 2025 is expected to show a significant deficit. Thus, the global cost reduction is not merely a cost-saving measure, but a strategy to ensure long-term budget stability.

Investments Despite Consolidation

Despite the consolidation strategy, Viersen has also included investments in the 2026 budget. Particularly notable are:

• Solar-Powered Dialogue Displays: €20,000 has been allocated for the procurement of four solar-powered displays to be used in schools, daycare centers, and senior homes. Although the administration recommends a cautious implementation due to a lack of experience with the displays, the decision shows the city’s commitment to digital innovation.

• Dog Parks and Green Spaces: €20,000 for up to three new dog parks and €15,000 for the project "Viersener Natur- und Kulturpunkte" signal that the city is also investing in social and cultural areas.

• Building Records Digitization: €127,400 will be allocated for two project positions for the digitization of building records. This project is part of the city’s digitalization strategy and is intended to improve administrative efficiency in the long term.

Personnel Policy: New Positions and Expenditures

The personnel needs in the city of Viersen have continued to rise. The 2026 staffing plan includes a total of 1,335.5 positions, 319.5 of which are for civil servants and 1,016 for employees. The city has created new positions, especially in the IT sector and youth support:

• IT Service: A new position with an annual budget of €104,000.
• IT Administration: A half-time position (approx. €37,050/year).
• Press Officer: A half-time position (approx. €51,350/year).
• Economic Youth Support: A half-time position to prevent processing backlogs.
• School Social Work: Five additional positions planned.

These measures show that the city is responding to the increasing demands in administration and social work. At the same time, the personnel area remains a cost factor that is particularly in focus in the consolidation strategy.

Tensions in the Budget Plan: Cuts and Freezes

In addition to investments and consolidation, there were also decisions aimed at saving costs:

• Pest Control for Single-Family Homes: The budget line was reduced by €40,000 and finally completely cut. This proposal from the parliamentary group "Die Linke" shows how political decisions can also lead to the reduction of voluntary services.

• Budget Freezes for Voluntary Services: The FDP proposal led to a freeze of 10% of regular expenses in areas such as press, public relations, and tourism. This step is part of the consolidation strategy but also has consequences for municipal identity and communication.

Conclusion: A Budget Seeking Balance

The 2026 budget plan of Viersen is a complex instrument that balances between consolidation and investment. The decisions show that the city is consciously operating on multiple levels: it is investing in digital infrastructure and social projects, while simultaneously reducing voluntary services and relying on a global cost-reduction strategy.

For the future, it will be crucial to see how the 2026 budget development actually unfolds. Is the planned cost reduction realistic? Can the investments achieve their intended effects? And above all: How will the city’s financial situation change in the coming years? The answers to these questions will show whether the 2026 budget plan provides a solid foundation for the development of Viersen.