Lincoln mayor’s proposed budget adjustment includes property tax rate cut

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird announced the city’s proposed mid-biennium budget adjustments on Thursday.

City officials said the adjustment includes a $6 million reduction in property tax, the largest in 20 years.

The proposed budget adjustment also includes investments in public safety personnel, public transit and new Lincoln Fire & Rescue equipment.

“The proposed mid-biennium budget adjustments reflect the City’s ongoing commitment to public safety, economic vitality, and strong infrastructure, as part of our work to grow a more prosperous and vibrant community,” Gaylor Baird said in a press release. “The record-setting business and development activity and strong economic growth we’re currently experiencing allows us to make these important investments in operations and infrastructure while providing a historic tax rate cut.”

In August 2022, the city adopted a two-year budget.

Adjustments made at the midpoint are based on actual revenues versus projects, contract obligations and newly emergent needs, officials said.

Gaylor Baird’s proposed mid-biennium budget adjustments:

• Lowering City tax levy by a total of $6 million

Operational investments

• Public Safety:
  • Lincoln Fire and Rescue (LFR) contract ($1,860,000)
  • two LFR tanker trucks ($850,000); Lincoln Police Department (LPD) and LFR Pension ($580,000)
  • Recruitment/retention specialist and intern dedicated to LPD/LFR/Parks and Recreation ($140,000)
  • Health Department STI staff $(170,000)
• Transportation:
  • Replacement of federal and state revenue cuts to StarTran ($412,000)
• Economic Vitality:
  • Downtown Business Improvement District expansion ($158,000)
• Neighborhood and Family Supports:
  • Aquatics staff pay rate to fully operate public pools ($255,000)
  • Early childhood programming ($100,000)

Infrastructure Investments

• Public Safety:
  • Relocation associated with Lincoln Fire and Rescue facility improvements ($1,000,000)
• Economic Vitality:
  • Parking system upgrades ($1,350,000)
  • South Haymarket Park project ($600,000)
• Expanded Senior Services:
  • Victory Park Aging Partners funding ($500,000)