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LIBA targets Health Department for cuts to help save tax dollars

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By ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 - 01:06:30 am CDT

Eliminating some health department positions and having city firefighters teach safety in schools are being suggested as ways to help trim Lancaster County’s 2008-09 budget.

Coby Mach, representing the Lincoln Independent Business Association, told county commissioners during a Tuesday night public hearing on the proposed budget that taking such steps could save a minimum of $73,700 in  taxes.

“LIBA has questioned the need for the level of services the health department provides,” Mach said. “We acknowledge that the state generally  mandates certain services be provided, but does not often specify to what level the services are to be provided.”

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 LIBA, a business group that keeps an eye on local government spending, suggested that the  health department streamline its middle management positions and eliminate the health and outreach manager position.

Mach said LIBA has no problem with the individual’s job performance but those responsibilities could be shared by the dental health and nutrition services manager and the community services manager.

 More tax dollars could be saved by eliminating two positions in the promotion and outreach department, Mach said. “We are not providing alcohol prevention; why do we need four employees in tobacco prevention?”  he asked.

Commissioner Deb Schorr pointed out that the positions are not public relations jobs but are designed to  help people make healthy lifestyle choices and help teens drive safely on rural roads.

Mach suggested that the county board examine nutritional informational services provided by the health department and Lancaster County Extension to eliminate duplication.

LIBA also suggested having city firefighters, who respond to childhood accidents, take over the responsibilities of the Safe Kids Coalition. Mach said the coalition is a worthy cause, but taking such action would save additional tax dollars. He told the county board that the idea has been discussed with the City Council.

Among the other suggestions by LIBA: implement a hiring freeze; reduce the county’s retirement from a 1.5 to 1 match  to a 1 to 1 match, and discontinue the practice of funding mid-year budget requests unless there is an emergency.

Mach was one of two speakers, who testified at the public hearing, which lasted about a half hour. The other was a representative from Lincoln City Libraries who thanked the board for its continued support.

County Board Chair Bob Workman said the $181.2 million proposed budget reflects  a policy of no expansion of services or personnel by agencies. Additional personnel requests were submitted separately for the county board’s approval.

Workman said the proposed budget is 5.77 percent more than the current budget and will require about $54 million in property taxes.

However, he said, if the County Board and City Council establish a Joint Public Agency to issue bonds for a new jail, then the first-year bond payment of about $5 million would be removed from the county budget and be treated as a separate line item by the city and county, resulting in significant interest savings.

Lancaster County’s property tax rate for the proposed budget is 28.78 cents per $100 of valuation, compared to the current tax rate of 27.55 cents.

Workman noted that general fund budget expenditures increased by about $1.2 million because there are three elections this year.

 There was some good news, though. Lancaster Manor will reimburse the general fund by $600,000, the first time that has ever occurred, Workman said. Also, there also will be about $1 million in savings because bonds have been paid off for the manor.

The county board vote on the proposed budget is set for its Aug. 26 meeting.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 402-473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com


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Dee wrote on August 20, 2008 2:03 am:
" perhaps if the local businesses provided comprehensive health insurance with preventative care and living wages we would not need some of the programs they would like to cut. "

 Concerned wrote on August 20, 2008 7:10 am:
" I would suggest elected officials and LIBA look more carefully at departments and what each position does before suggesting cuts such as this one. There are many positions that do not result in providing services to the people of Lincoln that could be cut with little or no real impact. "

 Agatha wrote on August 20, 2008 7:44 am:
" These same ideas were presented to the City Council and people objected to the presentation of the ideas at this late date in the process. The same thing should apply here. I don't see $73,000+ being a big savings in comparison to the upheaval the changes would cost in extra duties for the remaining staff. I doubt LIBA's plan would include additional compensation to the staff members who would have to take on more duties.

Personally, I think the County should have an alcohol prevention program. Why isn't there one? I bet it is because alcohol vendors have blocked efforts to have such a program. If you read one of today's columns, you will see people's comments about young people needing to experience alcohol so they learn how to handle it. I think young people should learn exactly what alcohol is and what it does to one's body without having to actually drink it! "

 Lincoln Taxpayer wrote on August 20, 2008 7:48 am:
" If LIBA wants to help keep an eye on tax dollars they need to take an indepth look at LPS. That is where most of our tax dollars are wasted. "

 Suggestion wrote on August 20, 2008 8:13 am:
" No one taxes us more than members of LIBA. How about concentrating on fat in private sector. Trim excessive profit margins, eliminate ineffectual personnel, and cut overhead costs. Efficiently provide reasonably priced goods and services to the public. Spend less time brown nosing at LIBA meetings, trade the Lexus in, concentrate on your business, and pass the savings along. Imagine the saving to the average Joe. "

 Ignignokt wrote on August 20, 2008 8:24 am:
" 'Lincoln Taxpayer' is absolutely correct...but I find it highly unlikely that LIBA will do that, because LPS doesn't regulate any of their members, whereas the city government does. Anything LIBA can do to weaken the power of city government that results in decreased regulation of their businesses is in their best interests. They pay lip service to reducing the school budget, but they're not serious about it. They want their members, which are businesses, to operate completely unregulated...and unchecked. "

 russell wrote on August 20, 2008 8:40 am:
" So the County taxes are increasing and city folks will pay 90% of their increased income. LIBA's 2 paid and highly skilled employees made their pitch about reducing programs to save a few meager dollars but that would be major windfall for the few very large property owners. Why would LIBA want city paid firefighters go outside the city to teach children safety? The Commissioners stated that would be considered next year. "

 UNBELIEVABLE wrote on August 20, 2008 8:55 am:
" Could someone please explain to me what is going on with LIBA?
Has hell frozen over?
They have been anti-fire department forever. I specifically remember the ambulance takeover issue.
Now all the sudden they are advocating cutting one departments funding, to give greater responsibility to the fire department? And the fire chief is speaking at their luncheon? How about LIBA advocate returning the ambulance service to the private sector. Then the stations and vehicles they use will be back on the tax roles, and as shown by the fire departments losing money on the service, private could do it better faster and cheaper.

Here is a tip Mr. Mach and LIBA. Firefighters are not case managers. They put out fires. We do not need them driving their big trucks, wasting any more fuel to deliver messages that is the responsibility of the health department.

I am truly disappointed in LIBA; they have reared the head of special interest. My final question is, when the next fire chief comes along, and Coby does not like him, how fast will the anti fire department sentiment return? "

 Rae wrote on August 20, 2008 9:00 am:
" Cut people, services will be affected, and we will pay in the end.

$73,000 is a drop in the bucket.

I suggest LIBA spend more time on helping businesses pay their employees decent wages/benefits so they dont have to get public assistance. "

 middle of nowhere wrote on August 20, 2008 10:02 am:
" Gee, a self appointed party of one was telling the commissioners how to run the health department. Cutting back on public health is one of the most cost effective ways to keep our community healthy. He's turning into a nut case. He has opinions about everything and expert in none. "

 I wrote on August 20, 2008 10:18 am:
" I've never understood how LIBA has so much influence on city government. They are not elected by constituents. If that's the case then I expect LIBA to do more rallying for the citizens in terms of taxes, utility increases, city services, transportation etc. etc. Really now, what has LIBA ever done for me? ZIP, NADA, ZILCH. I fully support the suggestions of "Suggestion". "

 Tired wrote on August 20, 2008 11:38 am:
" I am sooooo tired of LIBA. All they do is gripe. They think about nothing but themselves. If you think you know best, then run for office!!!! "

 Just observing wrote on August 20, 2008 11:54 am:
" Can anyone tell me what the tobacco prevention dept of the health dept does? My children get the same info and that on alcohol prevention during health classes at school. Quite frankly if they are trying to educate those who have graduated - I think it is a little too late. As for what has LIBA done for me? As I recall they managed to get the city to take another look at the sewer bond and they reduced the amt of the bond by several million dollars. So as Joe Taxpayer speaking, I say thank you LIBA. "

 Connie Hilligoss wrote on August 20, 2008 3:34 pm:
" I applaud LIBA and Coby Mach for standing up for the tax payers! I realize that state and county employees take this very personally, but so do I!! Why do I have to keep paying for their retirement at a level I can't get in the private sector?? Why should we leave obsolete jobs in place and raise our taxes to do so?? It's time government looks at their budget and lives within it means. I am not getting a raise because the economy is poor. I, as many others, cannot and do not want to pay to keep their benefits in place and keep government running at such a high rate!! Thank you LIBA!! "

 Question wrote on August 20, 2008 7:04 pm:
" I wonder how many employees of LIBA owned business are on public assistance due to being paid a non living wage? LIBA atands for lobbist plain and simple. Investigate LPS if you want to do some good. As for my wife and I, we will continue to not partonize any business that is a LIBA member. I would encourage others to do the same. "

 LIBA Watcher wrote on August 20, 2008 11:21 pm:
" Sure, reduce the employee match on retirement, but then give them a comparable raise in salary to make up for the loss. This contract with employees has evolved over the years, and somewhere along the line employees gave up a raise in exchange for improved retirement benefits. LIBA, shame on you. County and city employees deserve decent pay; our citizens deserve decent infrastructure and decent services. And you can't provide either by constantly cutting taxes. "

 Great Plan wrote on August 21, 2008 8:05 am:
" Cut outreach. Fewer services used. Cut other position to reflect 'lower' demand for services. Every public department should be doing this and eventually our tax burden will be relieved. Just don't inquire as to the well-being of those not being served. "

 funk wrote on August 21, 2008 8:46 am:
" I would agree that LIBA is a pro business lobby looking after business owners and not the tax payers. I too do not receive a 2-1 match but I am not bothered by it either. Our social security system is strapped because of greedy business owners not paying their employees fair and reasonable wages and leaving them hang out to dry when it becomes financially prudent. Every time LIBA ventures on these crusades I am reminded of a quote by the late President Lincoln; “Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration." Humbling words that I believe are lost on Lincolns, do everything to pay the time share, capitalists. "

 What are you Doing wrote on August 21, 2008 9:12 am:
" Their ideas might not be acceptable to everyone, but at least LIBA is looking for ways to help taxpayers.

Have you asked yourself "what am I doing? and what can I do?" "

 Cut the match for sure wrote on August 21, 2008 9:36 am:
" A $1.5 to $1 match seems pretty high. For every dollar an employee puts into their retirement it automatically turns into $2.50. I don't know many 'profitable' companies that can afford to pay that kind of match. Is there a 5%-7% limit on the matching? Jeezz, I should go get a job with the city for a few years just to pad my retirement fund and then come back to my corporate job and enjoy watching my city fuunded retirement grow.... "

 Retired LFR wrote on August 21, 2008 10:14 am:
" Here is an idea....cut Coby Mach's job- and save the city council and the county board, and us- hours of time having to listen to him. I can remember an idea floated around in the 70's that had firefighters inspecting properites for weeds....this idea makes about as much sense. "

 Ignignokt wrote on August 21, 2008 11:34 am:
" Okay, cut the retirement match, and get ready to pay higher salaries to city workers. State law requires comparability in compensation...so if you cut the amount of money being put into city employee retirement programs, then you have to raise their salaries. In reality, the retirement match is probably a pretty decent deal, since employees earn money on their retirement fund, which gets figured into the comparability. "

 tax payer wrote on August 21, 2008 4:26 pm:
" Why don't we get rid of LIBA and save even more dollars? "

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