Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler announced two changes to his proposed City budget for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 fiscal years.
? Instead of eliminating the police investigation of non-injury traffic crashes, the Mayor will propose funding the continuation of the service by charging a fee when reports are requested.
? The Mayor also will propose adding $50,000 to allow the Parks and Recreation Department to better implement the Prairie in the Parks program and clean up areas where weeds and debris are slowing the establishment of native grass.
The Mayor presented his first biennial budget to the City Council July 9th. The changes will be included in the budget resolution, the legal language the Mayor will submit later this week.
?The resolution will preserve the key tenets of my original proposal ? no tax increase, no major program cuts and no inappropriate use of one-time monies that create budget gaps in future years,? the Mayor said. ?I strongly believe that a successful City Hall is one that listens, responds and strives to create consensus. The proposed budget changes are positive steps in that direction, but we aren?t done yet. We will continue to work with the Council and the public throughout the budget process for the good of the community.?
Under the new proposal, police officers would continue to investigate non-injury traffic crashes. Insurance companies and others who request the reports would be charged $15, the same fee charged by the State for accident reports. ?The fee is a reasonable compromise that maintains a service but appropriately charges those who benefit from that service,? Beutler said.
The Mayor said the Prairie in the Parks program has several advantages. The City saves taxpayer dollars by reducing the mowing of park areas not used heavily. And he said replacing existing grasses with native plants provides natural habitat for wildlife and restores the natural beauty of the areas. But he said the transition has been challenging because it takes several years to establish native plants.
?Some park areas haven?t looked good as weeds have competed with the native grasses,? Beutler said. ?Additional funding will help to better establish these areas and allow Parks to provide some limited additional mowing in areas where experience is telling us that we need to mow more frequently.?
The resolution also will include a plan for additional sales tax revenue if that revenue exceeds the estimates of a four-percent increase each year. Additional funds would first be used to cover any losses the City may experience as a result of State changes taking effect January 1 for the City?s telecommunications tax. Beyond that, additional funds would be directed into the Police and Fire Pension fund.
The City Council will meet at 3:30 p.m. Friday, July 20 to discuss tentative changes to the Mayor?s recommended budget. The meeting is in Room 113 at the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th. Other upcoming budget meetings include the following:
? The City Council will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, July 23 to vote on budget changes.
? The public hearing is from 2:30 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Monday, August 6.
? The City Council will vote on final budget changes at its meeting beginning at 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 8.
? The City Council will vote on adopting the budget at its meeting beginning at 3 p.m. Monday, August 20.
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