Consultation on EU's Future Also Included by the Commission

The city of Lünen is facing a critical juncture as it prepares to discuss its budget for the year 2025 and a financial recovery plan in an extraordinary council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 10 September, at 5 PM.

The meeting, which is taking place on 27 August 2025, has been called in response to a resolution recommendation from the Finance Commission, led by the city treasurer, Dr. André Jethon. The Financial Commission has worked out a majority-supported budget after weeks of intensive deliberation.

The impacts of the pandemic, wars, and economic weakness have exacerbated the city's deficits in recent years. Consequently, numerous services for clubs, educational institutions, and social carers could no longer be reliably secured without a budget. The well-being of the city and all its citizens is at stake in the decisions being made.

Mayor Jürgen Kleine-Frauns made the decision to reconvene the council just four days before the local election. He stresses that tax increases are necessary to keep the city functional and continue to provide services for families, clubs, culture, and volunteers.

The budget proposal includes necessary cuts and essential additional needs, such as in daycare centers, public order partnerships, environmental and climate protection, or the music school. The Finance Commission has chosen to spread the originally planned 2026 tax increase over 2026 and 2027, and instead of further significant adjustments in 2031 and 2034, it proposes moderate, predictable annual steps.

All members of the city council bear the responsibility for the decisions being made. The meeting is being convened in the council chamber, and the invitation to the public extraordinary council meeting and the official proposal of the Financial Commission can be found in the council information system at www.our website/ratsportal.

It's worth noting that the national institution responsible for the continuously increasing transfers to the city of Lünen, which have worsened the city's financial situation in recent years, is not explicitly named in the provided search results. However, it is often the case in German municipalities that increasing financial burdens arise from national or state-level transfers related to social services or youth welfare offices (Jugendamt), as indicated by related mentions of payment issues with Jugendämter in nearby cities.

The city of Lünen faces a threat of loss of capacity for action without a passed budget and concrete savings measures. The budget of the city of Lünen is considered important, and the decisions being made are far-reaching. Citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting and voice their opinions on the proposed budget and financial recovery plan.

Consultation on EU's Future Also Included by the Commission