Zurbrügg Tapped as Reichenbach Financial Lead
The municipality of Reichenbach has appointed Björn Zurbrügg as its new financial administrator, effective August 1, 2026. Zurbrügg, who has served as the deputy financial administrator and head of the AHV branch office since April 2014, earned his certification as a Bernese financial administrator in April 2024. He succeeds Nadja Fahrni in the role.
Internal Staffing Shifts and Education Commission Appointments
The appointment of Zurbrügg has triggered an internal staffing shift within the municipal administration. Nadine Nestola, who has worked as a clerk in the finance department since May 2022, will take over as the head of the AHV branch office on August 1. Nestola completed the required training for Bernese AHV branch managers in 2024.
Beyond the finance department, the municipal council has finalized appointments to the Education Commission following several resignations. Noemi Beuret, Pablo Donzé, and Dominic Schindler have been elected to the committee. Additionally, school principal Daniela Stauffer has joined the commission in an ex-officio capacity. With these additions, the commission is now fully staffed, with the exception of a representative for the Bäuert Schwandi.
Deficit Guarantee Bolsters Regional Midwifery
The municipal council has approved a deficit guarantee for local midwives to ensure the continuity of maternal care in the region. The support, set at 1.50 Swiss francs per inhabitant for the years 2026 and 2027, addresses the changing healthcare landscape following the closure of the maternity ward at the Spital Frutigen.
According to the municipal council, the funding aims to bridge financial gaps during the startup phase of the midwives’ private practice. The council emphasized that the practice provides essential local support for families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, and the guarantee is intended to strengthen healthcare infrastructure for families in the Kandertal region.
Lighting Upgrades and Compliance Oversight
The municipal council has also authorized credit for lighting upgrades across several community-owned properties. The projects include replacement of lighting in secondary rooms at the Dorf schoolhouse, upgrades to the lighting in the Kien gymnasium, and improvements to the basement lighting at the municipal administration building.
During the same session, the council approved the minutes from the June 2, 2026, municipal assembly. Officials also acknowledged the results of recent compliance testing regarding the sale of alcohol and tobacco products within the municipality, noting the positive outcomes of these checks.
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