Advisory board meets

Tough personnel cuts loom in Klagenfurt

(Bild: Uta Rojsek-Wiedergut)

The budget continues to cause problems in the Carinthian capital. The advisory board has met: staff cuts are to affect up to 300 positions. 

The first major closed meeting with the consolidation advisory board on the city of Klagenfurt's budget for 2025 has taken place. Hirsch CEO and trade fair president Harald Kogler and auditor Peter Pilz (BDO) are helping as experienced professionals to arrive at a budget. Mayor Christian Scheider and SP finance officer Constance Mochar were also involved, and all 22 heads of department in the town hall were even invited. And they presented (savings) concepts.

15 million euros missing 
15 million euros are missing from the provisional budget, although these figures should be in the black. A lot has to be saved. Personnel costs account for 39 percent. Mayor Christian Scheider is cutting 30 civil servants, SP leader Ron Rabitsch even wants to do without 300 employees over the next few years. It doesn't look easy.

Scheider had previously met representatives of the Graz city government and Holding Graz. "Graz and Klagenfurt are moving closer together with the Koralm Railway. It is a huge opportunity for the economic area. Both cities are well prepared for the new central area," says Scheider. Of course, a lot would still have to be invested before the Koralm Railway opens. A budget would be urgently needed for this.