Municipal finances Riehen BS expects a deficit of 19 million francs in 2025

The municipality of Riehen BS is expecting a deficit of almost 19 million francs for 2025, which is far higher than in last year's task and finance plan (AFP), which envisaged a deficit of 8.1 million francs for 2025.

The reasons for the expected deficit are lower forecast tax revenues, investments in the future of education, additional costs for schools and childcare as well as expenditure on care and public transport, as the municipal council announced on Friday.

Rising pupil numbers and the expansion of services for families, for example the expansion of school daycare structures, as well as the cantonal decision to change the financing of child daycare are contributing to higher costs. In the area of education and family, the municipality of 22,500 inhabitants is expecting to spend CHF 3.9 million more than in the previous year.

Municipal council announces package of measures

Costs for the residual financing of retirement and nursing homes will rise by CHF 1.5 million due to tariff adjustments, according to the statement. In addition, public transport costs are higher due to the switch to electric buses and continued low passenger numbers, which have not recovered since the pandemic.

Nevertheless, the municipal council considers the planning of a deficit in the AFP 2025-2028 years to be sustainable. Thanks to the profits made in recent years, reserves have been built up that can temporarily offset this, as the municipal executive writes. It is planning immediate measures that will take effect next year and is announcing a savings package for the spring.