The City of Linz spent this sum last year on organisations, associations and private individuals to support them. This emerges from the current subsidy and transfer report presented by Deputy Mayor Tina Blöchl (SP) and Finance Director Christian Schmid.
Subsidies and transfers account for 42 percent of the municipal budget. A total of around EUR 14 million more was spent last year than in the previous year. The increase in voluntary subsidies also played a role here. For example, more than two million euros flowed into targeted measures against the effects of the corona pandemic.
The city of Linz has no influence on the transfer payments on a legal basis, which went directly to the state. That was 157.4 million euros (plus 4.3 percent) in the previous year. The majority of this related to hospital contributions (EUR 69.7 million), the state allocation (EUR 29 million) and equal opportunities (EUR 29.3 million). In this area, Blöchl and Schmid would think that considerations would be given to how the communities could be relieved. “The city of Linz is disproportionately burdened by this,” says Blöchl. In view of the dynamics in the social and health sector, it is urgently necessary to regain more creative freedom.
In addition, it is currently difficult to estimate how the surge in prices will affect clubs and organizations as well as people.
Irrespective of this, the Linz ÖVP demands a package from the city to support all voluntary associations, regardless of whether they are active in sports, culture or other areas.
Source: Nachrichten
