Lincoln City Council approves annexation, tax levy and bond abatements; confirms deputy fire chief

The Lincoln City Council on Dec. 15 approved a series of routine and financial items, including an annexation ordinance, a tax-levy ordinance for the 2025–26 fiscal year and two resolutions abating taxes to pay debt service on prior general obligation bond series. The council also approved a $5,000 amendment to a work order for the community pavilion and confirmed Chris Harding as deputy fire chief effective Jan. 1, 2026.

The council voted to accept a petition for annexation for parcel number 11-001-001-00 after a motion by Alderman Anderson and a second by Alderman O'Donoghue. The vote was recorded as affirmative.

Alderwoman McClellan moved the ordinance to levy taxes for city purposes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2025, and ending April 30, 2026; Alderman Anderson seconded. The ordinance passed with one dissenting vote from Alderman Bateman. No further details on Bateman’s objection were stated in the public record beyond his recorded “no.”

Council also approved two separate resolutions to abate tax levies to pay debt service on prior general obligation bond issues. The first abated levy to cover $2,285,000 in Series 2014 bonds; the second abated levy to cover $3,270,000 in Series 2018 bonds. During discussion of the Series 2018 abatement, a council member asked city staff (addressed as "Chuck") how much remained on the bonds; Chuck replied, “our payment our annual payments on this are about 280 to $285,000 per year...and we've got about 5 more years to pay on it...5 and a half to be exact,” and confirmed the bonds were for the police station. No additional council action was taken regarding new capital borrowing or fire station construction during that conversation.

On contracts, the council approved an amendment to work order No. 11 with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly for the community pavilion in an amount not to exceed $5,000. Alderman Anderson urged better, earlier communication from the engineering firm on additional expenses: “I'd just like to comment that in the future, I'd like to have better communication between Crawford, Murphy, and Tilly.” The firm's representative, Shane, said he was present to answer questions and apologized for the volume of explanatory emails.

The council gave advice and consent to Mayor's appointment of Chris Harding as deputy fire chief. The effective date of the appointment is Jan. 1, 2026.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (payment of bills; approval of minutes, 11/25/2025): approved (motion by Alderman O'Donoghue; second Alderman Downs). Recorded roll call: unanimous yes. - Annexation — parcel 11-001-001-00 (6B): approved (mover Alderman Anderson; seconder Alderman O'Donoghue). Recorded roll call: affirmative. - Ordinance levying taxes FY2025–26 (6C): approved (mover Alderwoman McClellan; seconder Alderman Anderson). Tally: 7 yes, 1 no (Alderman Bateman). - Resolution abating levy to pay debt service, Series 2014 ($2,285,000) (6D): approved. - Resolution abating levy to pay debt service, Series 2018 ($3,270,000) (6E): approved; staff reported approximately $280–$285k annual payments and about 5.5 years remaining. - Amendment to work order No. 11 (community pavilion) — up to $5,000 (9A): approved (mover Alderman Downes; seconder Alderman Clemens). - Appointment: Chris Harding, deputy fire chief (9B): approved; effective 01/01/2026.

The meeting closed after a brief round of community announcements and a motion to adjourn at 6:30 p.m.