The Basics of Beutler’s Budget are In
The Journal Star has posted a summary of Beutler’s budget proposal today, plus a slideshow with a few more details. I don’t have time to really analyze the budget, but here are some quick, top-of-the-head reactions:
- Closing Bennett Martin at 6:00pm instead of 9:00pm is a bummer, but few Lincolnites will notice, much less complain.
- Spending $150,000 on (yet another) study—this one a study of fire and rescue coverage—will be very unpopular. I won’t be surprised if that item disappears. Or heck, I’ll do a darn good job for only fifty grand.
- The $25,000 for a graffiti removal program is easy money to cut. It’s pretty easy to say that neighborhood associations could do a better job for less money. Whether or not that’s true across the city is a whole other issue.
- I can’t believe Beutler wants to spend $610,000—a whopping one-third of the budget shortfall—on his bizarre new home subsidy program. The proposal completely baffles me. This item—the entire thing—should be shot down, dismembered, burned, buried, dug up, shot again, encased in concrete, and thrown into an active volcano. *poof* The budget shortfall is down to a cool million.
- The proposed property tax increase of fifteen bucks on a $150,000 house is a relatively easy sell. That’s not to say Lincolnites (or the City Council) will buy it. But it’s doable.
- I don’t doubt that the City Council will say there is still fat left to be cut from the budget. I look forward to seeing what they can find.
The Comments
Fletch says Great stuff. So how do July 3, 2008 at 3:38pm
Great stuff. So how do you feel about the home subsidy idea?
Mr. T says I think a one cent July 3, 2008 at 4:22pm
I think a one cent levy increase (at a minimum) is very reasonable, especially given the fact that staffing is being cut while the city grows and fuel costs are going through the roof. Good job Mayor!