Dornbirn council votes to end funding for mayor’s adviser

Dornbirn’s city council has voted to end the contract for an adviser to SPÖ Mayor Markus Fässler, ORF reported, after opposition parties criticised the city-funded arrangement.

The adviser, Fässler’s former campaign manager, has worked for him for 14 months. He reports directly to the mayor, works on his behalf and can attend internal administrative meetings, according to a report by the Wirtschaftspresseagentur news agency.

The adviser receives 5,000 euros a month from the city, the agency reported, citing information in response to an inquiry by the ÖVP in the city council. No tender was held because the contract, which runs until 31 December 2027, is said to fall just below the 143,000-euro threshold.

At Thursday’s meeting, the council voted to end the contract, with support from the ÖVP and FPÖ. FPÖ councillor Christoph Waibel said the council had the right to assess such contracts differently.

ÖVP Deputy Mayor Alexander Juen said political advice should be paid for personally or by a political party, rather than by public funds. It is not known whether Fässler will continue to receive advice paid for from another source. The city made no statement after the meeting.