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RTSD adopts $55 million capital budget, county-approved levy falls below original request
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Lincoln–Lancaster Railroad Transportation Safety District approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget after a public hearing; the county-approved levy was lower than the district's original request, and the budget relies in part on increased interest income and Lincoln on the Move receipts.
The Railroad Transportation Safety District (RTSD) held a public hearing Sept. 9 and approved its fiscal year 2025–26 budget, keeping revenues near last year—s level while increasing budgeted capital improvements to about $55 million.
The board approved a dollar levy associated with the budget that HPE consultant Tony Durina identified as $7,198,765; Lancaster County set the actual levy at 1.5253 cents, down from the RTSD—s prior request of 1.95 cents, RTSD Executive Director Roger Feigert said. Feigert told the board the district plans to rely on higher interest income and continued Lincoln on the Move receipts to avoid asking taxpayers for a higher levy.
The budget packet presented by Tony Durina shows beginning cash and investments of about $36 million for the year that ended June 30, 2025, and an ending cash balance estimate of roughly $46,135,008.68. Durina said the proposed 2025–26 budget anticipates roughly $7 million in real-estate tax receipts, $20,000 in motor vehicle pro rata, and about $2.2 million in local receipts (mostly interest income and Lincoln on the Move funds). Operating expenses are budgeted at about $132,000 (excluding the county treasurer—s commission), with a separate county treasurer commission line estimated at $141,000.
"We believe that we could do less," Feigert said of the district—s decision to request a reduced property-tax amount. He and consultants told the board the reduction reflects higher interest earnings on invested funds and progress on planned projects.
Board members asked for clarification on the increase in "local receipts" (line 14 on the state-required budget form). Tony Durina said the increase is expected to come primarily from interest income; the Lincoln on the Move receipts were projected to be roughly consistent with prior estimates.
Durina also explained why capital improvements are shown at $55 million in the budget: accounting rules require the RTSD to show planned pay-outs for capital improvements that will be spent in upcoming construction phases, even if actual contractor payments will occur as projects enter construction. He noted some of that budgeted capital will be removed in future budgets as construction starts and expenditures are realized.
No members of the public offered comment during the budget hearing. After discussion, the RTSD board voted 4–0 to approve the proposed 2025–26 budget.
The board signaled intention to continue monitoring revenues, interest returns, and Lincoln on the Move receipts and to report on capital-project spending as construction milestones approach.
