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Lincoln City Council reviews eight tentative budget changes, schedules July 20 vote
Summary
The council discussed eight tentative FY2026–27 budget changes — ranging from police‑station security and pool funds to sidewalk design, tax assistance and a nonprofit pool reopening — and voted to reschedule a formal vote on the changes for July 20 at 1 p.m.
The Lincoln City Council heard eight tentative changes to the proposed FY2026–27 budget and agreed to take a formal vote on the proposals on July 20 at 1 p.m.
Chair Weber opened the meeting and explained that the council would only discuss the proposed changes today and not vote on them; a vote to move any of the tentative changes forward to the public budget hearing was scheduled for July 20. The eight items presented included: $150,000 for security fencing at the Northeast Police Station (Councilman Beckius); $750,000 for a pool maintenance and repair contingency (Councilman Weber); $150,000 for design and engineering of sidewalk and pedestrian improvements near the Adams Street Bridge (Councilman Weber); $82,500 to match private funds and secure an IRS grant for the Tax Credit Alliance of Nebraska (TCAN) (Councilman Weber); $75,000 for an Airpark/NW 48th Street subarea plan update (Councilman Weber); $185,000 for an aquatics facilities assessment (Councilman Weber); $15,000 to seed a neighborhood farmers‑market pilot (Councilman Weber); and $152,000 to close the final funding gap for the nonprofit Meadow Lane Pool restoration (Councilman Bowers).
Council members questioned program details, eligibility, precedent and fund sources. Budget staff provided context on general fund reserves (an in‑meeting estimate was roughly 21.8% of next year’s anticipated general fund budget) and city staff said some proposals would produce studies and design work before construction or operational decisions could proceed. TCAN staff explained that the IRS grant historically covers roughly half of TCAN’s budget and requires a one‑to‑one local match; planners said the Adams Overpass work would be a multi‑year effort and could rely on a state NDOT project for part of the overpass sidewalk; parks staff said an aquatics assessment would inform long‑range decisions about aging pools.
The council moved to reschedule the formal vote on the tentative budget changes to Monday, July 20 at 1 p.m.; the motion was moved ("Moved by Becky"), seconded by Councilman Carlson and approved by voice vote. The council then approved a motion to adjourn.
The council did not adopt any of the proposed changes at this meeting; each substantive proposal will be eligible for a formal vote when the council reconvenes on July 20.
