Finances Central charges of the city of Lucerne remain consistently high
Every person resident in the city of Lucerne pays a net CHF 300 for services used by non-residents. This is the result of calculations commissioned by the city of Lucerne.
02.07.2024, 08:48
02.07.2024, 10:06
SDA
The figures presented by the city on Tuesday are an update of a 2017 study carried out by the consulting firm Ecoplan AG.
The city of Lucerne announced that the center burdens it bears are consistently high. They amounted to 42.3 million francs. This is CHF 2.3 million more than in 2015.
The central burdens include the transport network, theaters, museums and sports and leisure facilities. The city's population also benefits from this. However, these services are also used by people from outside the city. If the estimated locational advantages of the city and its benefits as a center are deducted from the center charges, net charges of CHF 26.6 million remain, as stated in the press release.
The net center burdens are the amount that would have to be paid in addition to the existing payments from the federal government, cantons and municipalities, the city announced.
High charges for culture
According to Ecoplan, the largest chunk of the unpaid center charges is culture at 18.1 million francs. The figure for roads is CHF 11 million, followed by sport and leisure at CHF 10 million.
It was also calculated who benefits and how much: the agglomeration municipalities account for CHF 8.4 million in uncompensated central burdens, while the rest of the canton accounts for CHF 6.9 million.
According to the city, it is happy to play its role as the center of Central Switzerland. However, it also called for "appropriate compensation for center burdens".
Balanced distribution of burdens required
According to the press release, the city of Lucerne wants to advocate for a "balanced distribution of burdens between the canton and municipalities". It refers to the ongoing changes to the intra-cantonal financial equalization system.
In the financial equalization system, the city of Lucerne receives partial compensation for services provided by central locations, according to the Ecoplan report. It is granted a bonus in the equalization of resources. This bonus, which amounts to CHF 8.3 million in 2024, was not directly included in the calculations, explained Ecoplan.
