Markus Kleemann: This is how the mayor of Sindelfingen wants to renew the city!

Markus Kleemann: This is how the mayor of Sindelfingen wants to renew the city!

Markus Kleemann, who has been in office as Mayor of Sindelfingen since August 1st, 2025, took stock of his 100 days today, November 8th. With a clear view of the challenges that lie ahead, he emphasizes that there is a lot to structure and build in his city. “The scale of the challenges didn’t surprise me,” explains Kleemann, showing his determination to tackle the tasks ahead.

A central theme of his term of office is the restructuring of the financial situation in Sindelfingen. According to leading municipal associations, the economic situation in Baden-Württemberg will not improve in 2024 either. Municipal budgets are burdened by increasing social spending and higher district levies. “We have to manage the mandatory and voluntary tasks despite the inflation-related cost increases,” said Kleemann. The investment backlog in many municipalities will become a major problem in the coming years and could gradually grow to 186 billion euros, which also has an impact on Sindelfingen.

Approaches to problem solving

To meet the challenge of lack of financial resources, Kleemann plans to invest in education and infrastructure. The mayor knows that these investments are necessary to make Sindelfingen future-proof. However, the increasing personnel costs due to the new collective agreement in the public service (TVöD) as well as the expected increases in district levies are affecting the city. In addition, trade tax revenues will be increased in other cities such as Stuttgart, Heilbronn and Mannheim in order to close the financial gaps.

Another concern for Kleemann is the cleanliness of the city. In order to tackle the garbage problem, a special cleanliness patrol is to be set up to counteract citizens' ongoing anger about the condition of public spaces. “Cleanliness is an important flagship for our city,” said the mayor.

Looking into the future

Kleemann faces the challenges not only in Sindelfingen, but also in a broader context. The financial uncertainty caused by inflation and high energy prices is affecting the budget planning of all municipalities in Baden-Württemberg. Without greater support from the state and federal government, many cities are at risk of being unable to act. The mayor sees close cooperation between municipalities, the state and the federal government as crucial in order to overcome future challenges.

Markus Kleemann is faced with the exciting task of repositioning Sindelfingen and responding willingly to current and future challenges. Whether he succeeds remains to be seen, but the desire to make a difference is definitely noticeable. The coming months will show how Kleemann can put his plans into action to further develop the city in the best possible way.