Mayor Richter defends himself against SPD allegations regarding the tender

Mayor Richter defends himself against SPD allegations regarding the tender

Mayor Henry Richter has firmly rejected the SPD faction's allegations that he ignored the city parliament when it came to tendering for the “Baunataler Nachrichten”. In a clear statement, Richter described the criticism as “legally baseless” and emphasized that his actions were based on a unanimous decision by the city council, which was passed on December 16, 2024. The magistrate was commissioned to develop a “hybrid information system” that includes a print edition as well as digital solutions and a citizen app. According to Richter's statements, there was no reservation that the city council had to approve the final tender.

Richter provides the legal basis for his actions in Section 66 of the Hessian Municipal Code (HGO), which obliges the magistrate to carry out the resolutions of the municipal council. With an existing contract expiring on June 30, 2025, a timely new tender is necessary to ensure an official notification organ. “We want to offer a transparent process here,” said Richter, who outlined the steps to the tender:

• Januar 2025: Abstimmung mit HNA über vertragsrelevante Informationen.
• Februar bis März 2025: Kontaktaufnahme mit alternativen Anbietern.
• März bis April 2025: Durchführung einer Leserumfrage mit rund 1.000 Teilnehmern.
• 25. März 2025: Vorstellung von drei Angeboten der HNA im Magistrat und den Fraktionen.
• 15. Mai 2025: Veröffentlichung der Ausschreibung in der Hessischen Ausschreibungsdatenbank.
• 19. Mai 2025: Übermittlung der Ausschreibungsunterlagen an die Fraktionsvorsitzenden.

Municipal law reform in Hesse

While the discussion about the tender for the “Baunataler Nachrichten” is raging in Baunatal, there are also significant changes at the state level. The black-red coalition in Hesse is planning a comprehensive local law reform that is intended to increase the municipalities' ability to act politically. The aim is to reduce bureaucratic regulations and improve the framework conditions for local politics.

The new law recasting the Hessian municipal code (HGO) is due to be introduced in the state parliament next week. Interior Minister Roman Poseck emphasized in the first reading of the law that this reform is the most comprehensive in a decade and aims to strengthen municipalities as a central pillar of democracy. In addition, in the future no individual will be allowed to form a parliamentary group to strengthen the interests of smaller parties.

Some of the key points of the reform are:

• Umstellung des Auszählverfahrens auf das d’Hondtsche Höchstzahlverfahren, was größeren Parteien zugutekommt.
• Einfachere Möglichkeiten für die Verkleinerung kommunaler Parlamente.
• Erleichterte Regelungen für digitale Sitzungsformate und Live-Streaming von Sitzungen.
• Kommunen dürfen wirtschaftlich im Bereich Wohnungsbau und erneuerbare Energien aktiv werden.
• Bessere Bezahlung für Bürgermeister und Landräte ab der zweiten Amtszeit.

The planned reform has already attracted criticism, including civil society organizations, who see the reform as an infringement on democratic rights. Opposition forces such as the Greens and the FDP warn that the changes could endanger the rights of smaller parties and democratic plurality. But the Interior Minister emphasizes that the reform has been coordinated with the municipal umbrella organizations and receives support.