Bodenheim looks back: What changed in February 2026

What was important this month

• New fees for the after-school program: The fees for after-school and holiday care were increased to limit the municipality’s share to 35%.
• New fire station in the planning phase: The merger of the volunteer fire departments of Gau-Bischofsheim and Harxheim is accompanied by plans for a shared fire station.
• 2035 land use plan updated: The Verbandsgemeinde approved the first amendment to the land use plan, focusing on residential construction, commercial areas, and nature conservation.
• Full-day schools in the planning phase: The school board called for the establishment of full-day schools at all four elementary schools in Bodenheim.
• Budget approved – but a warning for the future: The 2026 budget was approved, but the local government oversight body urged the community to think about balancing strategies for 2027 and beyond.

School fees increase – but families benefit

In February 2026, the fees for the after-school program at the elementary schools in Bodenheim for the 2026/2027 school year were redefined. The after-school care will now cost 140.00 €, and the holiday care will cost 110.00 € per week (for the first child). The fees were raised to 65% of the total costs, meaning the Verbandsgemeinde limits its financial share to 35%.

This adjustment is part of a long-term strategy to stabilize the school's funding. Parents, however, still benefit financially: compared to other childcare options such as after-school clubs or the BGS, they save up to 2,304 € per year for one child – up to 3,456 € for two children. The administration is now working on implementing the new structure, with the goal of submitting a formal application for the 2027/2028 school year by March 2026.

Land Use Plan 2035: Bodenheim looks to the future

One of the biggest decisions of the month was the First Amendment to the 2035 Land Use Plan, integrated with a landscape plan. After preliminary discussions in the Construction and Planning Committee and the Main and Finance Committee, the Verbandsgemeinderat approved the plan. The new plan details how land will be used in the coming years – from residential areas and commercial zones to recreational and sports facilities and nature conservation and flood protection areas.

The plan was created at a scale of 1:12,460 and is based on the coordinates of the ETRS 1989 UTM Zone 32N system. The planning was carried out by BBP Kaiserslautern, supported by additional planning partners. Before the final adoption of the plan, approvals from the local municipalities must still be obtained. The plan is a central component for the long-term development of the Verbandsgemeinde.

Full-day schools in Bodenheim: Now it gets serious

On the initiative of the Group Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, the school board has expressed support for the establishment of full-day schools in the form of an offer at all four elementary schools in the Verbandsgemeinde. The administration will now take the necessary steps to initiate the process in accordance with § 14 SchulG RLP. The goal is to submit a formal application for the 2027/2028 school year by March 31, 2026.

This includes checking spatial prerequisites and conducting a needs survey among parents. Mayor Dr. Robert Scheurer has pledged to work closely with the responsible authorities. The establishment of an Integrated Comprehensive School (IGS) at a location in the Verbandsgemeinde is also being discussed – a forward-looking perspective for education policy in Bodenheim.

Funding in Focus: Budget Approved, but Caution for the Future

The 2026 budget was approved, but the local government oversight body urged the development of a budget balance perspective for 2027 and subsequent years. The Verbandsgemeinde’s revenues are heavily dependent on the tax revenues of the local municipalities, which poses risks for financial stability. The administration will therefore have to focus more on cost-saving measures and revenue optimization in the future.

In addition, in February, funds transfers under § 17 GemHVO and new construction projects were announced. The roof renovation of the gymnasium at Nackenheim Elementary School was awarded in three contracts totaling 99,312.25 €. The administration remains active in implementing construction planning.

Outlook: Bodenheim in Transition

February 2026 was a month of clear decisions and long-term planning. The Verbandsgemeinde Bodenheim is moving toward more education, more security, and more planning certainty – not without challenges, but with clear goals. The coming weeks will show how the approvals for land use planning proceed and whether the full-day schools will actually become a reality in the next few years.

Financial planning remains a topic – not least because the local government oversight body is watching closely. For the residents, this means: more transparency, more participation, and more responsibility. Bodenheim is in transition – and that is a good thing.