Lincoln council approves $1.997 million transfer from prairie-dog fund to sewer regionalization

The Lincoln City Council voted Nov. 7 to apply $1,997,556.92 from the city's prairie-dog fund to the sewer regionalization plan.

Councilor Kelvin Artavia moved the measure and Councilman Davis seconded; the council approved the transfer by voice and roll-call votes. During the roll call the motion recorded affirmative votes from Artavia, Davis, Ernsten and Prasco.

City staff and councilors said the allocation will lower the portion of project costs borne by residents if the city proceeds with bonding and a special-assessment schedule. City finance and utility staff presented rough resident-cost estimates during the meeting, saying a $2 million assessed share amortized over 20 years would translate to roughly $57'$60 per household annually under one scenario. Council discussion emphasized that the special-assessment committee would determine the exact apportionment and that apartment buildings, condos and institutions would be treated differently in the final spread.

Supporters said dedicating the prairie-dog fund toward the regionalization project will keep the city's financial picture clearer as grant decisions and DEQ approvals proceed. Council members pressed for continued updates from the engineer and grant writer as the DEQ and state review processes continue.

The transfer is intended as an allocation (a dedication of funds) rather than the immediate expenditure of cash; staff said the funds do not have to be spent immediately but must be identified in reporting.

Next steps: staff will continue DEQ submittals and the grant application process; the city will present further cost breakdowns and the special-assessment committee will determine exact resident apportionments before final assessments are set.