The results from the Mayor's budget survey are in, and though the raw data aren't yet available, we do have some basic numbers to work with. Emergency services came out on top by a wide margin, while public transit came in dead last. Neither of those two results is surprising. One of government's most fundamental jobs is to protect the citizenry, so emergency services should always score high. On the other hand, public transportation has a terrible reputation in Lincoln -- much (but not all) of which is well earned through mismanagement and missed opportunities.
At this point it isn't clear what the outcome of the survey will be. I suspect at least two things will happen. First, I suspect the City will have to find additional revenue to cover part of the $6 million budget shortfall. Yep, despite respondents' disapproval of tax increases, I think that's what we'll see. I don't see how the City has much choice. Second, I expect (or at least hope) to see more pressure placed on LPS to take good care of their budget. LPS is the big pig at the trough, after all, and the City ought to be tired of taking more than its share of the blame for the local property tax rate.
My biggest "Huh?!" moment comes when I look at the results to the question about how people would pay for their highest budget priorities. Fifty-eight percent of people said they would either keep current funding levels; increase taxes; or take the money from elsewhere in the budget. An astonishing 42% of people want to use "some other approach". What other approach? Put out a tip jar?
What are your thoughts about the survey results?
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See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.
I say the magic number is upwards of 6 dollars. i don’t really care though, my car has an in town average so far of 32 mpg and i’ve hit 42 on the highway. I also don’t drive around for no reason. in fact, my last fill up was on march 29th and i’ve got just under a quarter tank at this point.
That reply was intended for the other post (the one about gas).
but for this one, i’m not really surprised but my disappointment and suspicion is validated. the comments on the LJS are even worse than the findings. cut funding to education AND increase economic opportunity? let’s try to see someone explain how that’s supposed to work. perhaps if we open a bunch of fast food chains here, so all of those people with sub-par educations who can’t get a job anywhere else will have places to work.
Its interesting to note that the survey found only about 1/5 of Lincolnites know that the City receives less than 15 cents of every dollar collected in property taxes. I’d say the City is doing a remarkable job providing necessary services given the dearth of revenues.
Lincoln is facing some big decisions in order to stave off its deficit as well as maintain its current level of services. They are going to have to move to something dramatic quickly. I agree with you that a property tax hike is inevitable. Merging more city and county responsibilities is another possibility down the road.
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