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Beutler touts his proposed city budget

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By DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008 - 12:37:57 pm CDT

The day after City Council members received a copy of his budget proposal, Mayor Chris Beutler began publicly plugging his spending blueprint.

His proposed 2008-2009 budget will be unveiled publicly on Sunday.

“We’re about to make a city-wide decision on what we spend and why,” Beutler said during a press conference Tuesday.

Story Photo
Mayor Chris Beutler

It’s decision time, he said, on whether to keep pools open, build roads and revitalize neighborhoods. He said the city has done what it can to find efficiencies, but has reached a point where “simply doing more with less” is increasingly difficult.

For example, he said last year’s cuts to the Law Department were “a cut too far” that left the department understaffed.

Beutler sent a message to the City Council — which must approve a municipal budget — that it can’t cut one city department without affecting others. For example, he said keeping libraries, rec centers and swimming pools open helps keep juvenile crime in check.

Police Chief Tom Casady said it’s important to keep urban decay at bay, because decay breeds crime. Having youth programs and pools open helps keep kids out of criminal trouble, he said.

Beutler seemed to be sending a message to the council and public that his spending plan is the way to go.

“We have the ability to put the budget problems behind us this year,” he said, but refused to comment on whether his solution is a  property tax increase.

In order to come up with a balanced budget, he had to close a nearly $6 million budget shortfall. But if part of his solution is a property tax increase, he’ll have to sell that to a skeptical City Council. Four Republicans on the council have said they don’t plan to go along with a tax increase.

Councilman Ken Svoboda  is one of them. He’s seen highlights of Beutler’s budget and said, “It’s not a pretty picture.”

“There’s some pretty deep cuts in there,” he said.

However, he said he doesn’t know of anybody who’s suggested closing pools. He said there are other ways to balance the budget.

He said most council members have been through enough budgets to know that cuts have ripple effects.

“ This is the mayor’s first budget of his own and I think he’s telling us things we already know,” he said.

Beutler said his budget ends the use of “gimmicks” to balance the budget — which he defines as using one-time revenue sources to plug budget holes.

Svoboda said that depends upon your definition of one-time money. For example, Beutler has propoed dipping into the Special Assessment Revolving Fund and using $8 million to create an economic development kitty. But Svoboda said you could recognize that money as a revenue stream, and use the interest income to create programs or fund gaps.

The City Council will work on the budget through August, when it must approval a final budget.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


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New to Lincoln wrote on July 1, 2008 12:50 pm:
" Cut police, cut fire department, cut all of the babysitting programs, cut what ever you need but DO NOT RAISE PROPERTY TAXES. "

 Cynic wrote on July 1, 2008 12:56 pm:
" What do you bet that programs for kids and the elderly are going to take the biggest hits? Yet we still can afford a new arena, new jail, new city park and the payoff of the Antelope Valley project. (Plus our share of moving the fair and making a gift of the fairgrounds to Uncle Harvey at UNL.) Go figure. (And God help us.) "

 Wayne wrote on July 1, 2008 1:13 pm:
" There are many ways to cut the budget, one would be when you're building a street, do it right the first time. not in 2 years to them tear part of it out and then make it wider. Better planning needs to be made. Rasing taxes is the easy way out of it because then its out of their hands in to the publics, Drive down 70th around Adams street, that is terrible, that street needs to be resurfaced, why?? let it get worse and then tear it all out and start over?? Grind it down now while you can and resurface it. "

 Happy wrote on July 1, 2008 1:15 pm:
" Great Job mayor "B" cutting things to the bone while you can pay to "study" for out arena but my children can't have a nice after school program. Keep up the good agenda. Also check and see if the after school programs can be put on the 2015 to do list cause if it's not on that list it doesn't go. Thanks again for all your hard work. "

 Grundle wrote on July 1, 2008 1:49 pm:
" Ah, but your children CAN have a nice after school program, the only problem is that it is up to YOU to provide it, right? The city government is not, and should not be, your personal babysitter. If you cannot afford it, that is not the city's problem. The city has much bigger things to worry about right now than taking care of someone else's kids. If people cannot see the need for a modest tax increase, then it's quite obvious they don't know how important the current city services are to them. You can complain all you want about the arena, the parks, etc., but the bottom line is that the city government needs more money. Since the mayor can't take it from the extremely bloated school budget, it has to be found somewhere. "

 Custom HB wrote on July 1, 2008 2:09 pm:
" I am a custom home builder and land developer. I made two million dollars last year.(slow year) Thanks to Mayor Beutler and housing stimulus plan I will be able to maintain profitability and be able to bid up undeveloped land prices. I support cuts to other key city services so I can line my own pockets (in the name of supporting local economy of course). "

 My former Nebraska town wrote on July 1, 2008 2:23 pm:
" The folks all yelled for the mayor and council to "do anything, but DON'T RAISE PROPERTY TAXES." They yelled this for years and years, and each year the mayor and council cut to the bone, but they never raised taxes. The retireds all died, and the young all moved away.

I wonder who shut out the light on their way out... "

 Mindless Robots wrote on July 1, 2008 2:56 pm:
" I love how everyone wants public services, but when it comes time to pay for them, "just don't touch my property taxes!" Part of being a member of a community is to help pay for the services that keep the community running. If you don't like it, sell your house and rent. Or move away so we don't have to listen to your belly-aching!!! I for one have had enough! "

 CUT wrote on July 1, 2008 3:02 pm:
" "New to Lincoln" wrote, "Cut police, cut fire department...." Can you be serious? Maybe the fire guys could use some common sense when they take an engine, a truck, and an ambulance to a nose bleed. I didn't say cut jobs; just make the system a little cleaner. The city needs the police and fire dept. The police actually need to be staffed even higher. I bet "New to Lincoln" will be the first to call in saying that his neighbors’ dog won't stop barking because of the fireworks or that he blew his hand off using an M-80. Use some common sense people. Why don't we just cut all teachers? They are just kids, let their parents teach them at home (that is a joke by the way.) No wonder why there is a lot of juvenile crime in the city. Name 10 things for teenagers to do on the weekend her in Lincoln. Kind of hard to do. "

 Chris wrote on July 1, 2008 3:13 pm:
" This is just the beginning folks. As the economy falls, it will get worse. The answer is living in higher density, i.e. urban living instead of suburban living. Less cost for road building, sewer building, water. No need for new schools in the suburbs while closing schools in Central Lincoln. No new firehouses, no new police substations, no need for officers to drive everywhere. Dense urban development is the only thing that will lower our costs without lowering the level of services provided. When will we admit the suburban lifestyle is no longer affordable and it is no where near sustainable. "

 Brian in Lincoln wrote on July 1, 2008 3:26 pm:
" I agree, that there are programs we do need and those that should be up to the individual. Planning is Lincoln is poor at best. Why do you think we have these constant road projects that should have been done correctly the first time? The city should not be providing after school care, that is a parents responsibility. Libraries, fire, law, streets, sewers, etc are all needs. How we accomplish these needs can be debated. Some argue that the city govt is fat with wastefulness, which is true in many spots, and false in others. LPS is a huge budget hog and needs to be addressed. The majority of all property taxes goes to the LPS budget. How many admin people are there for each actual teacher? The ratio is disgusting at best and those doing the actual teaching get the short end as well. I love the threats we hear each budget process from the city. Why not raise sales taxes to take care of some of this? At least we all pay based on what we spend and visitors pay as well. "

 the first wrote on July 1, 2008 4:37 pm:
" thing to do is slow down the developers. Who can afford the infrastructure? God all the city does is put in new streets and sewers to keep up with the building on the outskirts. The taxpayer is burdaned with the flood control issues enough as it is. antelope creek, stevens creek. Stop the madness first, then do a budget. "

 the first wrote on July 1, 2008 4:46 pm:
" If they wouldnt keep raising the property tax every year the people wouldn't scream so loud. Every year for thirty years my taxes have gone up. One year only a few dollars but thats not normal. You just can't keep expecting the property owners to keep the city with its fancy schools to keep it up. Tax the damn business'es more and see what happens. They would do just like the young people. Run just as fast as they can to the nearest state line. "

 Lincoln Taxpayer wrote on July 1, 2008 6:40 pm:
" Wait a Democrat proposing a tax increase - no surprise here. Other than Parks & Recreation, Lincoln has not even begun to take serious issue of waste in government. I wont believe that the City is serious until a person is actually laid off. Not filling vacant positions doesn’t cut waste - it only assures greater mediocrity among the remaining employees. We need some get tough leadership in Lincoln. Apparently, it's not currently available. "

 Clueless wrote on July 1, 2008 7:16 pm:
" Raise the taxes...I want to keep my city services and help the city grow and prosper. "

 Hey Mayor wrote on July 1, 2008 7:18 pm:
" My business is suffering from the slow economic times and I employ many people....will you give 1000 bucks to anyone who will use my service??? This is one of the dumbest ideas I have heard! "

 Lincoln Resident wrote on July 1, 2008 7:41 pm:
" I am praying for everyone involved in the decision making process this year. It is true that the general public cannot afford and does not want property tax increases. It is true LPS get more than their fair share of the property tax dollar. It is true that LPS has too many administrators and does not give teachers and students for that matter what they need. It is also true there is waste in some city departments. Some departments have done away with direct services without cutting unnecessary administrative positions. I hope and pray that the Mayor and City Council will look at the big picture while also looking at how the taxpayers dollars are actually being spent within each department. "

 RE the first wrote on July 1, 2008 8:17 pm:
" First, I look back at my expenses for the past 30 or so years and I've increased my spending every year. You're either living in a cave or yours have also increased every year. So, we expect government to somehow REDUCE expenditures, like they've magically found money? Are they supposed to buy $2000 cars, like in the 70s?? Tell me how you have reduced your budget every year, please.

Second, this is the CITY budget we're talking about. The schools are a totally separate entity. I'll never understand why so many people lump everything together. Mayor Beutler can't do a darn thing (other than be another citizen, like you and me, and vote for another school board member).

Finally, at what point do we tell the developers to start developing again? When we're at 90 percent capacity? 95 percent? 99 percent?? I highly doubt the city is spending "all that money" on the outskirts. You'd be surprised what the developer has to pay. "

 anon wrote on July 1, 2008 8:29 pm:
" maybe the mayor should take a pay cut! How much money would that add to the budget?!?! "

 Observer wrote on July 1, 2008 8:37 pm:
" Mayor Beutler might be wise to look within. There are many capable city employees who have ideas for how money can be saved. Unfortunately in some departments employees who suggest different ways of doing things or have new ideas are seen as being negative. "

 cut the fat wrote on July 1, 2008 9:00 pm:
" Each City department should be scrutinized and held accountable. The accountability should begin at the top layer with elimination of unnecessary positions as these are usually the staff with the highest income. For example, I recently brought my child into the health dept for shots and was shocked to see that there are (3) persons in the directors office! And, services have been reduced at the health dept... why so many bosses?!? "

 Figures wrote on July 1, 2008 9:31 pm:
" Raise property taxes and I'll be doing the same thing my neighbor is
having to do. Put my house up for sale. Its time to stop the school
draining this town. The other day I happened to run into a huge new
gated addition plus more I didn't even know exsisted. Those homes have to
be taxed around $12 to $14 thousand dollars. Where is all that money
going? It wouldn't be siphoned for the 2015 gang would it???? Typical
Democrats, you haven't seen anything yet if Obama gets elected!!!!! The
spending in Lincoln is waaaaaaay out of bounds. Oh sure, threaten to
take away the police, that'll make the people sit up and take notice and
boy they'll be ready to shell out more!!! Guess what? My well is dry!!!!! "

 Raise our Taxes PLEASE wrote on July 1, 2008 10:19 pm:
" The property taxes on our home are lower this year than in any year since 2002. I am very willing to have a city tax increase in order to maintain city services. We are very lucky to live in such a well managed and healthy city, but it can't run well on a starvation budget. A loss of city services will erode the fine quality of life that we currently enjoy. "

 Common sense wrote on July 1, 2008 10:24 pm:
" I've got an inkling of the idea that Beutler and the City Council want to cut services to those whom services are already trimmed to the bone. For example, I know they would like to trim the Bus Budget this would primarily affect the poor.(Still don't see what is wrong with a 25 cent increase in bus service. Lots of folks could afford 25 cents but they can't afford to be without transportation.) Senior services, and other services that people have become dependant on. I do however seen some waste that can be eliminated #1 drop the idea of the arena, its simply too expensive a proposition at this time. #2 Keep the fair in Lincoln or have UNL/Grand Island pay for the entire move Do not use Lincoln Money for that. #3 If the fair goes to Grand Island, remove that money from the Lottery and place it in a kitty for the services mentioned above. "

 New to Lincoln wrote on July 1, 2008 10:58 pm:
" To cut- no I don't call the police or fire dept, ever. I take care of my own problems, I rely on myself. If I have a heart attack and keel over please don't call the fire dept ( there is not enough parking on my block for all of them ). As for the police in this town, well we don't want to get into that. If LPS's budget gets cut then some more can go to the city but not till then. "

 city worker wrote on July 1, 2008 11:26 pm:
" The City employees have been working hard and putting in much overtime because of budget cuts from last year in order to maintain. I don't think the Mayor or council can fully appreciate the situation. But, the cracks are showing, the juggling act is now routine and projects are getting backlogged like never before. I am frustrated with the popular assumption that all is well as long as property taxes are not raised. All is not well. We have less city employees than fifteen years ago and Lincoln has grown by over 25%. We are not broken but with the new round of budget cuts that I fear will come it will sound the bell of no return and no recovery for some city departments. Is this really what city council and LIBA wants for this city? I know it's politically correct and very easy to mouth that little sound bite of "cut the fat" but there is no more fat to cut. At least the Mayor finally told the truth. We cannot do more with less. We can't even maintain with less at this stage of the game. We can do less with less. And when we have less and do less and provide less how does that make us a better city? "

 Guillermo wrote on July 2, 2008 12:06 am:
" Well, there will be lay-offs. I know for a fact there are at least two people on the city's payroll who will be losing their jobs. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me to start lay-offs if enough job cuts are made by simple attrition. Are those who claim their property taxes have "gone up" every year looking at their assessed value? I believe the state passed a property tax "levy lid" which caps the ammount of tax which can be levied against your property. If your taxes have gone up every year, it might be due to a change in assessed value. The budget is a mess, but it is not the fault of city government officials or LPS or the boogieman. The economy has been slow for quite a while. Cities charge a flat tax per gallon of gas purchased so even as gas prices have increased cities are not experiencing a proportional increase in revenues. Gas prices are taking a larger percentage of people's income, as a result people are also paying more for food which is a non-taxable item. This leaves people with less disposable income which would be spent on taxable goods, hence the budget crunch.

If we are to remedy the budget situation, we need to look at the HUGE tax incentives we give to businesses because it is quite obvious that the revenue these businesses save as a result, aren't "trickling down" as many people once thought. "

 Promises made promises not kept wrote on July 2, 2008 7:31 am:
" Sure taxes are not high enough and sure raising them will create some revenue, then what get another idea and raise them again, and again. Well, tell us you aren't going to raise taxes and then do it. Kind of thing that makes me want to throw up. "

 Job Cuts Are Real wrote on July 2, 2008 9:02 am:
" To Lincoln Taxpayer: The city IS cutting jobs that still have people in them. My husband lost his job in last year's budget cuts and this year my son has been notified that his job is being eliminated. "

 Outside the Box wrote on July 2, 2008 9:33 am:
" Here's a solution for those who do not want to pay more in taxes: copy the tiered pricing structure used by the cable company. You pay taxes based upon the services you want to use:

Basic: Fire, police, roads, etc
Family: schools, after school programs, parks, pools, etc
Suburbs: utilities and roads for those who live in newly developed areas
Elderly: senior centers, meals on wheels, etc.

If you don't pay for a service, then you can't use it. Everybody wins - you don't have to pay more in taxes, and I can live in a city where the parks get mowed monthly. "

 Brian in Lincoln wrote on July 2, 2008 11:24 am:
" Two comments here 1) Please explain to me why it is the city's job to provide after school care for kids? This is the parents job, plain and simple and tax money should NOT be going to this activity. 2) How do you determine which areas are "new" compared to "old" ? 10 years old, 15 ? etc You can't make a blanket statement like that without providing that information. Should we block off the city between 1st street and 84 to the east and west and Havelock to the North and Pine Lake to the south and stop providing services? But don't give up the huge $$$ in property taxes that you get from these newer properties right? The city is FAT with unproductive workers who THINK they need 3 people to do a single persons job. When this waste is taken care of, then we can see where we stand, but until then....... "

 Smaller govt. wrote on July 2, 2008 11:45 am:
" I have family in state and local govt. and I hate to say this but I would love to see a smaller govt. Make cuts, both to the budget and to staff. Keep the fire, police, roads etc.. but do we really need govt. to help everyone with after school programs, youth sports, incentives to buy new homes. I don't think so, let those programs run on donations, grants from feds, and fees from participants. I would gladly donate $100 a month so that my child can have those items but I hate to see 5 'directors' required to run such a program. SMALLER GOVERNMENT, LESS INVOLVEMENT in my personal life... "

 dewboy wrote on July 2, 2008 1:10 pm:
" To begin, would'nt it be nice to have the $10 million the city spent on the haymarket ball park right now. How much has Abel given back to the city? How about the Embassy Suites and another $10 million from the city. How much was the return to the city? How about our big time downtown development project such as them Grand complex. Where is the return? Why is Urban Development so pro-business anymore. That is Not supposed to be their purpose. Now lets talk developers. They had it made until Impact Fees came about and they still get by cheap. (example how much for LES to drop a line in for new service?) IF growth is so good why are we in the hole. As an example, what was the City of Lincolns costs for all the new roads along highway 2. Fact is the City of Lincoln is living beyond its means. Due in part listening to developers. "

 My my my dewboy wrote on July 2, 2008 3:21 pm:
" I am amazed, just simply amazed. Maybe Lincoln shouldn't have spent any money assisting in the Capitol construction. I'm sure Lincoln contributed something to that in the 20s. We should have just let Omaha have it instead of investing any effort and money into it. Shoot, we'd be "ahead" financially then wouldn't we? What has the return been on THAT building? Heck, the tours are free.

Unbelievable... "

 concerned uahx wrote on July 2, 2008 6:20 pm:
" Direct services should not be the only hits when balancing this budget mess. The mayor & city council needs to look seriously at administrative staff and salaries. How many supervisors are really needed to watch over the few direct service dedicated staff who still have jobs? "

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