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Council to consider raising sidewalk reimbursement to $6 per square foot
Summary
Lincoln City Council members agreed to place on the regular agenda a proposal to raise the city’s sidewalk‑replacement reimbursement rate from $2 per square foot to $6 per square foot, a change staff said would cover roughly half of typical replacement costs.
Lincoln City Council members agreed to place on the regular agenda a proposal to raise the city’s sidewalk‑replacement reimbursement rate from $2 per square foot to $6 per square foot, a change staff said would cover roughly half of typical replacement costs.
Public Works staff member Stan Landers said the $2 rate has been in place for more than a decade and that current material and labor costs justify an increase. “We’ve had a rate of $2 per square foot reimbursement for ever since I’ve been here,” Landers said, adding that market research and contractor feedback put the average replacement cost at about $12 per square foot.
Under the proposal discussed at the meeting the city would reimburse up to $6 per square foot (approximately half of the typical $12 rate). Staff said the program requires a pre‑inspection, compliance with city construction standards (including ADA requirements), and a post‑inspection before reimbursement. City staff also told council members that an excavation or right‑of‑way permit and a refundable $1,000 bond are required for work in the public right of way.
Treasurer and staff described the program’s current funding: the city budgets $8,000 annually for sidewalk reimbursements and staff said the program has been lightly used—about six reimbursements totaling roughly $3,500 over the past three years. Council members asked about documentation and proof of payment; the city attorney’s office is drafting language that would require a final invoice and proof of payment before the city issues reimbursement.
Council members discussed whether homeowners who do the work themselves can receive reimbursement. Staff said homeowners may provide invoices for materials (for example, a concrete plant invoice) and that the city measures the public‑sidewalk square footage (excluding driveway approaches) to calculate the reimbursable amount. If a homeowner pours their own sidewalk, staff said they still must meet construction standards and pass inspection to qualify.
The council chair placed the proposed rate increase on the regular agenda for formal consideration.
