2009 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance does not endorse any one candidate. Any data presented about candidates on the Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance website is for informational purposes only.

Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance provides this information as a public service so that voters can use it as a resource in choosing the candidate they feel will best represent their interests.

HOW TO USE THIS PAGE

The “CANDIDATE REPORT CARD” contains LNA’s grade plus a link to that candidate’s actual questionnaire as the candidate filled it out. The completed questionnaire should be posted by 23 March.

Following the “Candidate Report Card" is a background sheet that the questionnaire refers to on specified questions.

Please scroll down to the final part for a sample questionnaire that was e-mailed to each candidate.

LNA CANDIDATE REPORT CARD
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Name Grade LINK to Answers
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LNA sent 15 questions to City Council candidates, which all returned. LNA graded answers from established neighborhoods' perspective and prepared Report Card. Candidates are listed in same order as on County Election Commissioner's website.

Jayne Snyder B Snyder

Eugene W. Carroll A Carroll

Adam Hornung C Hornung

LNA strongly suggests that you review the candidates' questionnaires because explanations provide useful information and a better understanding of the candidates' future voting intentions

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BACKGROUND FOR LNA CITY CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Budget Timeline
The mayor prepares his budget in consultation with his department heads during May. The mayor's budget is released to the public in June. The City Council begins voting on budget items in July. A public hearing is held in mid-August. The City Council approves the final budget in late August. The new city fiscal year begins Sept. 1.
Budget Problem
A majority of the City Council believes voters want them to hold the line on property taxes. Consequently, the city property tax rate has been unofficially frozen for several years. The result has been budget emergencies for the last three years and likely again this year. City revenues probably will not match expenses, creating an unfunded gap.
Tough Questions
LNA's questionnaire poses many tough either-or choices, similar to the votes City Council members face over controversial items of business. Sometimes it's not possible for a politician to compromise by splitting a tax dollar in two and sending 50 cents one way and 50 cents the other.
Question 1
Ten Nebraska cities assessed higher 2008 property taxes than Lincoln, according to Nebraska Revenue Department reports. In a comparison of the 15 Nebraska cities which exceed 10,000 population, Lincoln's tax rate ranked 11th. Lincoln's property tax rate was 71% of Omaha's. Here is a list of the 15 cities with their 2008 state-certified property tax rates:
1. North Platte, 0.559894
2. Bellevue, 0.524876
3. Hastings, 0.472766
4. Omaha, 0.433870
5. Papillion, 0.405139
6. South Sioux City, 0.395877
7. Fremont, 0.348116
8. Lexington, 0.325519
9. Columbus, 0.315477
10. Beatrice, 0.315224
11. Lincoln, 0.307333
12. Grand Island, 0.250000
13. Scottsbluff, 0.213990
14. Kearney, 0.157547
15. Norfolk, 0.133035
Question 7
The features that distinguish "smart growth" vary from place to place. In general, "smart growth" policies invest time, attention and resources in restoring community and vitality to center cities and older suburbs. New "smart growth" is more town-centered, is transit and pedestrian oriented and has greater mix of housing, commerical and retail uses. It also preserves open space and many other environmental amenities. (www.smartgrowth.org)
Question 8
By infrastructure, LNA means the streets, sanitary sewer, fresh water and storm water systems. Significant portions of Lincoln’s infrastructure are over 70 years old and some are over 100 years. All infrastructure has a life cycle and it is more efficient to replace it on a schedule rather than wait for emergency breaks. No interior arterial streets have been resurfaced or upgraded since 2004 yet Yankee Hill Road was built. It appears that no water mains are schedule to be replaced until 2014 yet Lincoln's water rates have increased over 31% and sewer rates increased over 40%.
Question 9
The initial impact fee was set at 50% of actual impact cost of a new house which was $9,000 in 2002. As of August 2008, impact fees had provided over $1.4 million for water, $1.9 million for wastewater, $6.9 million for streets and $183,000 for parks. By city ordinance this money has to be spent in the district that generated it and not in any other part of town.
Question 13
Lincoln is divided into two areas by city ordinance for flood and/or stormwater control purposes: Existing Urban Area and New Growth Area.
The New Growth Areas are outside Lincoln’s city limits but are within the 3-mile jurisdiction and have undeveloped space that permits the application of the three principles of “no net rise," “compensatory storage” and “no adverse impact." Existing Urban Area usually lacks available space to apply the three principles.
A consequence of not applying the three principles as development occurred is seen in the expensive Antelope Valley project plus the hidden expense of federally mandated flood insurance premiums for all properties in a floodplain that have FDIC bank loans. In a small portion of the Deadman's Run floodplain, the average flood insurance is $400 and the average house value is $50,300. The insurance premium is based upon house value plus the predicted height of flood water.
Question 15
Please read Lower Platte South NRD newsletter at HYPERLINK "http://www.lpsnrd.org/docs/Publications/StreamLines/streamlinesinteractive0109.pdf"http://www.lpsnrd.org/docs/Publications/StreamLines/streamlinesinteractive0109.pdf
The LPSNRD states a projected 3,000 new residents per year will use 70 million gallons per year or more. This 70 million gallons is a small portion of what Lincoln currently uses. But if the current well fields cannot be expanded to accommodate projected growth, other sources will to need to be found which will require large amounts of money.
The consequence is any increased water usage by Lincoln's industry, businesses and homes will have to be offset in some manner with other water resources or reduced usage by established customers.
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LINCOLN NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE CITY CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
TO THE CANDIDATE: This questionnaire is a citizen information activity that is being facilitated by the Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance (LNA). LNA advocates that new city growth not be accomplished at the expense of older neighborhoods. The objective of this questionnaire is to better inform all Lincoln residents about issues critical to sustainable growth and maintenance of Lincoln’s neighborhoods.

LNA has prepared background material on several questions, designated with a (B). Background page is found at LNA's homepage and click on "2009 Candidate Questionnaire."
1. (B) In the 1990s Lincoln enjoyed a surge in sales tax revenue with new retail development at both ends of 27th Street. City Councils steadily reduced property tax rates from 52 cents per $100 to the present 28 cents. Now sales tax revenue is flat or perhaps shrinking, yet politicians are afraid of voter wrath if they raise the property tax rate to balance city budgets. Can you imagine circumstances where you'd vote for an increase in the property tax rate? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:
2. The City Council has not raised the city property tax rate since the 2005-06 budget. Instead, the council has cut 134 employees, reduced services, increased fees and emptied various funds. Future councils may have to choose between continuing to shrink city services or increasing revenues. Which do you favor :
fewer services ___ or increased revenues ___?
Explain:
3. Many voters seem unhappy with property taxes. The state allows local governments to piggyback on the state sales tax if voters approve. Should the city ask the state to grant the same option for local governments to piggyback on the state income tax? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:
4. Over the past decade, city government's net debt per capita has increased from $1,994 in 1998 to $4,003 in 2007. Do you favor pay-as-you-go government ___ or increased borrowing ___?
Explain:

5. The mayor has suggested taking a look at an independent transit authority like Omaha's to manage Lincoln's bus system. It would have its own elected board and taxing authority. Do you support ___ or oppose ___ a Lincoln transit authority?
Explain:
6. Do you support the mayor's outcome-based budgeting process? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:

7. (B) Do you support a smart growth policy for the City of Lincoln? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:
8. (B) If you had to choose because of insufficient funds, would you support maintaining current infrastructure ___ or expanding infrastructure ___?
Explain:
9. (B) Impact fees were initiated in 2003 as a more equitable vehicle for assigning the costs of infrastructure requirements for new developments. Impact fees save money for taxpayers by holding down utility fees and tax rates to pay for infrastructure that does not directly benefit them. The initial impact fee was set at 50% of actual impact cost of a new house. Do you support the impact fee concept? Yes ___ No ___ Should impact fees be adjusted for inflation? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:

10. Lincoln Electric System budgets money to bury power lines and is slowly working its way along key arterials. Do you support a small rate increase to accelerate this process in Lincoln neighborhoods? Yes ___ No ___

Explain:
11. The Lincoln Water System has inverted its rates to encourage conservation, ie. the more water you use, the more per unit you pay for it. This motivates citizens to monitor their usage and to seek ways to save water. LES charges less for electricity the more a customer buys. Do you support inverted electrical rates to encourage conservation and delay construction of new generating plants?
Yes ___ No ___
Explain:

12. Trees cool buildings and streets, reducing air conditioning costs, asphalt replacement cycles and stormwater runoff. Since the 1997 ice storm, Lincoln has replaced only a fraction of the lost trees. Trimming to maintain healthy trees has been severely curtailed. Do you favor more city funding for tree programs? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:

13. (B) Development in watershed areas upstream from neighborhoods frequently causes increased runoff during storms and increased insurance costs for businesses and neighborhoods. Will you enforce the three principles of "no net rise," "compensatory storage" and "no adverse impact" for new growth areas? Yes___ No ___ Will you enforce the three principles for established urban areas? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:
14. Most scientists advocate reducing carbon footprints. Do you think city government should improve the energy efficiency of public facilities? Yes ___ No ___ Do you favor city incentives for the private sector to reduce carbon footprints? Yes ___ No ___
Explain:
15. (B) The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources recently made a preliminary declaration that "all available water in the lower Platte River has been obligated and there can’t be any new or increased use without an offset being provided." This could have far-reaching impacts on Lincoln. Which of the following do you support (you may mark more than one)?
a. ___ I believe that the state is wrong and Lincoln may continue as in the past
b. ___ City must retrofit all public buildings with latest water-saving devices to provide the “offset”
c. ___ City needs a major increase in water rates with "profits" to fund water-saving equipment and procedures to provide the “offset”
d. ___ City must search for industries that do not require large amounts of water
e. ___ City must buy water rights from neighboring farms and communities
f. ___ City must fully fund Water Department's efforts to find other water sources
g. ___ Other (please specify):

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START OF CANDIDATES’ QUESTIONNAIRES
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JAYNE SNYDER

Explain:
As we know, 42 cents of every dollar of the city budget comes from sales tax revenue. Only 14 cents of every dollar from Property tax revenue goes to the City budget. It makes no sense to raise the property tax when the majority of it goes to schools and other entities. As acknowledged above, new retail development produced a surge in sales tax revenue. We need to look at appropriate economic development that will entice citizens of Lincoln to shop in Lincoln instead of on the internet or Omaha. In addition, we need to invest in economic development opportunities that bring more visitors to Lincoln, strengthening the tax base, without increasing taxes on our residents. These types of projects will also provide jobs. Job creation is one of my major goals.

2 The City Council has not raised the city property tax rate since the 2005-06 budget. Instead, the council has cut 134 employees, reduced services, increased fees and emptied various funds. Future councils may have to choose between continuing to shrink city services or increasing revenues. Which do you favor :
fewer services ___ or increased revenues _X__?

Explain:
I favor increasing revenues but not by raising property taxes. We must pursue economic development and creation of jobs if we are to progress economically as a city. We need more jobs and a stronger economy, while, protecting what makes Lincoln unique – our neighborhoods and our families. .

3. Many voters seem unhappy with property taxes. The state allows local governments to piggyback on the state sales tax if voters approve. Should the city ask the state to grant the same option for local governments to piggyback on the state income tax? Yes _X__ No ___

Explain:
This is a possibility. Many think that a city income tax would be a good way to distribute the shared cost of city services. Many citizens work and live in Lincoln but do not pay property tax.

4. Over the past decade, city government's net debt per capita has increased from $1,994 in 1998 to $4,003 in 2007. Do you favor pay-as-you-go government X___ or increased borrowing ___?

Explain:
My general philosophy on business and economic development is to live within your budget. There are times when a business or city must borrow to invest in their economic future. Growth is dependent on financial investment. Many business and city governments do borrow to allow for increased property value and sales tax in the future.

5. The mayor has suggested taking a look at an independent transit authority like Omaha's to manage Lincoln's bus system. It would have its own elected board and taxing authority. Do you support ___ or oppose X___ a Lincoln transit authority?

Explain:
I would oppose an independent transit authority because I think we need to analyze and manage our own transit challenges.The mayor and city council should be fiscally prudent but attempt to provide adequate transportation to the citizens of Lincoln in a time of increased fuel costs and an increased need to preserve resources.

6. Do you support the mayor's outcome-based budgeting process? Yes _X__ No ___

Explain:
This has been an excellent change in our budgeting process. After a research survey of the citizens of Lincoln last spring, Mayor Beutler decided to allocate funds to the priorities of the citizens of Lincoln. The first two were public safety (police, fire, roads) and job creation and economic security. The budget will be built around these priorities (goals) and each department will measure performance towards 9 priority areas through outcome measures.

7. (B) Do you support a smart growth policy for the City of Lincoln? Yes _X__ No ___

Explain:
I support restoring community and vitality to the center of cities and older suburbs but I also support new growth. Two examples of “smart growth” in the center of town would be the development that will grow out of the area around Union Plaza Park and the trails system in that area. Another example is the growth that would occur with development around a new downtown arena. Lincoln does need to be more transit and pedestrian oriented.

8. (B) If you had to choose because of insufficient funds, would you support maintaining current infrastructure ___ or expanding infrastructure ___?
Both are necessary –
Explain:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide $9.3 million stimulus dollars for repair and maintenance of current roads. The mayor has added $6.9 million in local street funds for a combined package of $16 million dollars. The City estimates the projects will create or save hundreds of jobs. New roads are still important for growth and economic development and will be addressed by funds from that will be sought from the state and federal government.

9. (B) Impact fees were initiated in 2003 as a more equitable vehicle for assigning the costs of infrastructure requirements for new developments. Impact fees save money for taxpayers by holding down utility fees and tax rates to pay for infrastructure that does not directly benefit them. The initial impact fee was set at 50% of actual impact cost of a new house. Do you support the impact fee concept? Yes _X__ No __ Should impact fees be adjusted for inflation? Yes__
No_X__ Explain:

Impact Fees were put in place to provide part of the solution to our growing infrastructure gap. Recently, the Mayor formed an Impact Fee task force to study their affect and to explore how Lincoln can better fund infrastructure. Impact Fees were not meant to fund all of Lincoln’s infrastructure. We need to further study this problem and analyze the final report (phase2) from the Mayor’s 2008 Impact Fee Task Force. It is expected to be completed on May 5th, 2009. So far, I am in support of decreasing the districts from 7 to 4, use of square footage or property value as a basis of calculating fees and use of a revolving fund concept.

I do not support any more electric rate increases in the present economic environment. Reallocating budget dollars at LES could accomplish the same goal without the need for an increase.

11. The Lincoln Water System has inverted its rates to encourage conservation, ie. the more water you use, the more per unit you pay for it. This motivates citizens to monitor their usage and to seek ways to save water. LES charges less for electricity the more a customer buys. Do you support inverted electrical rates to encourage conservation and delay construction of new generating plants?
Yes _X__ No ___

Explain:
As we try to preserve more of our precious resources, this only seems logical and reasonable.

Explain:
I would like to see a partnership of the community neighborhood associations, the County Extension Division and the city to replace some of these trees.

13. (B) Development in watershed areas upstream from neighborhoods frequently causes increased runoff during storms and increased insurance costs for businesses and neighborhoods. Will you enforce the three principles of "no net rise," "compensatory storage" and "no adverse impact" for new growth areas? Yes__X_ No ___ Will you enforce the three principles for established urban areas? Yes ___ No _X__

Explain:
The Comprehensive Plan lays out the “flood prone” areas and as development occurs, landowners are aware of the regulations. It would be difficult to apply this to existing urban neighborhoods due to lack of available space and expense.

14. Most scientists advocate reducing carbon footprints. Do you think city government should improve the energy efficiency of public facilities? Yes _X__ No ___ Do you favor city incentives for the private sector to reduce carbon footprints? Yes _X__ No ___

Explain:
Yes, many of the new development projects in Lincoln will be “green”. The healthy life style building that will be built in Union Plaza Park will be a wonderfully designed “green” building and the area will be a great example of good use of “green-space”.

a. ___ I believe that the state is wrong and Lincoln may continue as in the past
b. ___ City must retrofit all public buildings with latest water-saving devices to provide the “offset”
c. ___ City needs a major increase in water rates with "profits" to fund water-saving equipment and procedures to provide the “offset”
d. ___ City must search for industries that do not require large amounts of water
e. ___ City must buy water rights from neighboring farms and communities
f. _X__ City must fully fund Water Department's efforts to find other water sources
g. _X__ Other (please specify):

We also need to take more specific measures to encourage citizens to preserve and conserve our water resources.

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Eugene W. Carroll

1. (B) In the 1990s Lincoln enjoyed a surge in sales tax revenue with new retail development at both ends of 27th Street. City Councils steadily reduced property tax rates from 52 cents per $100 to the present 28 cents. Now sales tax revenue is flat or perhaps shrinking, yet politicians are afraid of voter wrath if they raise the property tax rate to balance city budgets. Can you imagine circumstances where you'd vote for an increase in the property tax rate? Yes ___ No ___Explain:During this economic downturn, the City of Lincoln cannot increase property taxes. We must work to grow the tax base by adding new jobs and retaining existing jobs. This growth will increase our revenues to help balance the budget.

2. The City Council has not raised the city property tax rate since the 2005-06 budgets. Instead, the council has cut 134 employees, reduced services, increased fees and emptied various funds. Future councils may have to choose between continuing to shrink city services or increasing revenues. Which do you favor : fewer services ___ or increased revenues ___?Explain:I will work hard to balance the budget without raising taxes, cutting services or employees. I believe that there is money to be found in reducing government inefficney and waste.

4. Over the past decade, city government's net debt per capita has increased from $1,994 in 1998 to $4,003 in 2007. Do you favor pay-as-you-go government ___ or increased borrowing ___?Explain:Government should always stay within its budget and not over spend.

5. The mayor has suggested taking a look at an independent transit authority like Omaha's to manage Lincoln's bus system. It would have its own elected board and taxing authority. Do you support ___ or oppose ___ a Lincoln transit authority?Explain:I agree that an independent transit authority should be explored to manage the bus system.

6. Do you support the mayor's outcome-based budgeting process? Yes ___ No ___Explain:Yes, I agree with the mayor’s outcome based process. It allows a more precise review of the budget and set priorities for the city to follow.

7. (B) Do you support a smart growth policy for the City of Lincoln? Yes ___ No ___Explain:Yes, as a certified city planner, smart growth is the best way to grow the city.

8. (B) If you had to choose because of insufficient funds, would you support maintaining current infrastructure ___ or expanding infrastructure ___?Explain:It is always a balance to continue to grow the city while taking care of the core. The mayor is correct in spending the stimulus dollars on urban streets that have been neglected for too long. In the future I would continue to keep a fair balance between maintaining and expanding infrastructure.

9. (B) Impact fees were initiated in 2003 as a more equitable vehicle for assigning the costs of infrastructure requirements for new developments. Impact fees save money for taxpayers by holding down utility fees and tax rates to pay for infrastructure that does not directly benefit them. The initial impact fee was set at 50% of actual impact cost of a new house. Do you support the impact fee concept? Yes ___ No ___ Should impact fees be adjusted for inflation? Yes ___ No ___Explain:I support the findings of the mayor’s Impact Fee committee, which stated that the fees should remain in place, while adjustments should be made in allocation of funds.

10. Lincoln Electric System budgets money to bury power lines and is slowly working its way along key arterials. Do you support a small rate increase to accelerate this process in Lincoln neighborhoods? Yes ___ No ___ Explain:As a Planning Commissioner, during the approval of the CIP, I have requested that LES increase the amount of power lines being buried in the city of Lin
coln. I believe the LES can and will continue to bury power lines without a rate increase.
11. The Lincoln Water System has inverted its rates to encourage conservation, ie. the more water you use, the more per unit you pay for it. This motivates citizens to monitor their usage and to seek ways to save water. LES charges less for electricity the more a customer buys. Do you support inverted electrical rates to encourage conservation and delay construction of new generating plants?Yes ___ No ___Explain:I believe the current rate system by LES is correct. LES continually works with customers to conserve energy and find ways to hold the line on rate increases.

12. Trees cool buildings and streets, reducing air conditioning costs, asphalt replacement cycles and stormwater runoff. Since the 1997 ice storm, Lincoln has replaced only a fraction of the lost trees. Trimming to maintain healthy trees has been severely curtailed. Do you favor more city funding for tree programs? Yes ___ No ___Explain:The need for the replacement of trees is very important to the City of Lincoln. I would look at many different ways to fund the program.

13. (B) Development in watershed areas upstream from neighborhoods frequently causes increased runoff during storms and increased insurance costs for businesses and neighborhoods. Will you enforce the three principles of "no net rise," "compensatory storage" and "no adverse impact" for new growth areas? Yes___ No ___ Will you enforce the three principles for established urban areas? Yes ___ No ___Explain:As a Planning Commissioner, I have voted for “no net rise” in new growth areas and also have voted to enforce “no net rise” on new projects in urban areas.

14. Most scientists advocate reducing carbon footprints. Do you think city government should improve the energy efficiency of public facilities? Yes ___ No ___ Do you favor city incentives for the private sector to reduce carbon footprints? Yes ___ No ___Explain:Yes, the City of Lincoln should be a leading example of being green in public facilities. The city should also work with the private sector to explore ways to improve carbon footprints.

15. (B) The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources recently made a preliminary declaration that "all available water in the lower Platte River has been obligated and there can’t be any new or increased use without an offset being provided." This could have far-reaching impacts on Lincoln. Which of the following do you support (you may mark more than one)?a. ___ I believe that the state is wrong and Lincoln may continue as in the pastb. ___ City must retrofit all public buildings with latest water-saving devices to provide the “offset”c. ___ City needs a major increase in water rates with "profits" to fund water-saving equipment and procedures to provide the “offset”d. ___ City must search for industries that do not require large amounts of watere. ___ City must buy water rights from neighboring farms and communitiesf. ___ City must fully fund Water Department's efforts to find other water sources g. ___ Other (please specify):First the city should work to conserve water both in public facilities and in the private sector. Also, we should work with other communities to preserve our water rights in the lower Platte River. Finally, the city will need to look for other water sources for the future.

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Adam Hornung

Explain:
With more than a thousand jobs lost in Lincoln over the last year, the last thing that homeowners can afford is an increase in property or other taxes. While the short-term solution is to continue to find creative ways to provide efficient community services with less money, the long-term solution is a local economy that is viable and creates new jobs.

2. The City Council has not raised the city property tax rate since the 2005-06 budget. Instead, the council has cut 134 employees, reduced services, increased fees and emptied various funds. Future councils may have to choose between continuing to shrink city services or increasing revenues. Which do you favor :
fewer services ___ or increased revenues _X ?

Explain:
Unfortunately, our city is not on a sustainable economic course. We need to create economic viability in this city to help pay for the services we need. We need to protect our existing jobs and create the additional jobs necessary to fund our critical city services.

Explain:
Again, with so many jobs lost and businesses struggling to survive, a city income tax would seem to further drive Lincoln’s economy into a local recession. With 70% of the city’s budget derived from sales tax, I do not think a city income tax would permit our residents to continue to spend at a level that would create a sustainable local economy.

Prioritizing our economic sustainability is the long-term answer to continuing to provide Lincoln with excellent community services in a fiscally responsible manner.

4. Over the past decade, city government's net debt per capita has increased from $1,994 in 1998 to $4,003 in 2007. Do you favor pay-as-you-go government _X or increased borrowing ___?

Explain:
Increased debt at the city level is not fiscally responsible. With declining tax revenues, declining development, substantial job losses, and a developing pattern of budget shortfalls, the city is not in a position to take on more debt and effectively make its payments.

The long term solution to Lincoln’s economic future is the primary issue facing this city. I believe that now, more than ever, we must be committed to encouraging Lincoln’s economic viability by promoting entrepreneurship, small business, and the creation of good paying jobs.

6. Do you support the mayor's outcome-based budgeting process? Yes _X_ No ___

Explain:
I support any attempt to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our budgeting process. I think there are areas to improve in the mayor’s proposed process, but would be excited to work with Mayor Beutler to create a budget that is fiscally responsible, works towards economic viability, and provides the critical city services Lincoln needs.

7. (B) Do you support a smart growth policy for the City of Lincoln? Yes _X_ No ___

Explain:
I would support policies and ordinances designed to restore community and vitality to the city of Lincoln. As we move forward, we need to maintain our strong neighborhoods, as that serves as a competitive advantage over other communities.

8. (B) If you had to choose because of insufficient funds, would you support maintaining current infrastructure __X_ or expanding infrastructure ___?

Explain:
In my mind, infrastructure restoration and development is a key component to building a sustainable local economy and needs to be a top priority for the city’s general budget. I believe, and UNL’s Bureau of Business Research Report from 2005 confirms, that an investment in infrastructure has a dividend effect on the local economy.

9. (B) Impact fees were initiated in 2003 as a more equitable vehicle for assigning the costs of infrastructure requirements for new developments. Impact fees save money for taxpayers by holding down utility fees and tax rates to pay for infrastructure that does not directly benefit them. The initial impact fee was set at 50% of actual impact cost of a new house. Do you support the impact fee concept? Yes _X_ No ___ Should impact fees be adjusted for inflation? Yes ___ No _X

Explain:
While I believe that impact fees may have a place in our City, I feel that they are currently stifling job growth and economic development at a time when our City is on an unsustainable economic path. At the least, we need to continue a freeze on impact fees and need to continue to investigate the effect that impact fees are having on the growth of our local economy. Our lack of progress over the last five years has not proven the case that impact fees are neutral towards economic development.

10. Lincoln Electric System budgets money to bury power lines and is slowly working its way along key arterials. Do you support a small rate increase to accelerate this process in Lincoln neighborhoods? Yes ___ No __X_

Explain:
While there may be a time and a place for rate increases, there are far too many people in Lincoln who have recently lost their jobs or businesses that are struggling to survive. Saddling our residents and businesses with additional fees at this time is not the answer to delivering a economic viability in Lincoln.

Explain:
While I believe that inverted rates do have a place in public utility fee structures, the largest consumers of electricity are businesses. I do not believe that we can create more costs and fees for employers that are already struggling to pay their existing employees. Increasing these costs would be a quick way to add to our unemployment totals.

Explain:
To the extent that tree programs can be provided at an efficient price point, I would support this aspect of Lincoln’s budget.

13. (B) Development in watershed areas upstream from neighborhoods frequently causes increased runoff during storms and increased insurance costs for businesses and neighborhoods. Will you enforce the three principles of "no net rise," "compensatory storage" and "no adverse impact" for new growth areas? Yes___ No _X__ Will you enforce the three principles for established urban areas? Yes ___ No _X__

Explain:
While I believe that the three principles relating to watershed areas are important, I also believe that our local development needs a jump start to ensure that we begin to create jobs in Lincoln. There is too much at stake for those that have lost jobs, creating a need for an increased focus on development and job creation..

Explain:
Reducing our carbon footprint is the environmentally appropriate approach and will save the city money in the long run.

15. (B) The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources recently made a preliminary declaration that "all available water in the lower Platte River has been obligated and there can not be any new or increased use without an offset being provided." This could have far-reaching impacts on Lincoln. Which of the following do you support (you may mark more than one)?
a. ___ I believe that the state is wrong and Lincoln may continue as in the past
b. ___ City must retrofit all public buildings with latest water-saving devices to provide the “offset”
c. ___ City needs a major increase in water rates with "profits" to fund water-saving equipment and procedures to provide the “offset”
d. ___ City must search for industries that do not require large amounts of water
e. ___ City must buy water rights from neighboring farms and communities
f. ___ City must fully fund Water Department's efforts to find other water sources
g. __X_ Other (please specify):

I believe that the state may very well be wrong in its conclusion, but also believe that the city should prioritize its conservation efforts. Cutting our water usage at the city level would create less of an environmental footprint and would save the city money in the long run.

Explain:

I find it abhorrent that the city has allowed the net debt per capita to more than double from 1998 to 2007. The city, moving forward, absolutely should live within our means, period. The city, moving forward, should be a “pay as you go government” WITHOUT any budget trickery or gimmicks to give the appearance of being a “pay as you go government”.

However, we cannot hide behind the excuse of being a “pay as you go government” to raise taxes, create new forms of taxation, or new fees. Instead, those of us in elected positions must have an open dialog with all of our citizens to prioritize the city services our citizens require and provide those services in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible WITHOUT raising or creating any taxes or fees, that in the long run are counter productive to the well-being of our citizens and the future of our great city.

Explain:

Generally speaking anytime a “new taxing authority” is created along with the creation of its own new “bureaucracy” required to oversee the new authority, the result is dramatically higher costs of delivering these services to the city. Labor costs, especially those bureaucrats heading up the authority drawing high salaries, benefits, and government perks, only drive up the cost of delivering these services to the city and do nothing to add more bus drivers, mechanics, and other front-line personnel necessary to actually run the transit system.

Plus, the city gets to offload this expense and use these funds for other city projects and services, resulting in the creation of a city transit tax above and beyond our existing city taxes.

As a City Counselor, I will keep an open mind on how I would vote on the mayor’s proposal, with certain conditions.

- I would have to be absolutely satisfied that the administration costs of the authority would be no higher and if anything lower than they are today as run by the city.

- That once all the actual costs of running the transit system today are determined that the city’s budget would be reduced by that amount upon the creation of the transit authority

- The city tax rates and revenues are in fact reduced by the amount corresponding with the reduction in cost savings to the city of moving the transit costs to the new authority

- The Federal Income Tax implications to our citizens: Today property taxes are deductible on the federal tax returns for all of our citizens who qualify for “itemizing” their deductions on their federal returns. If reducing our citizen’s property tax bills and replacing it with “Transit Authority Tax” means that our citizens cannot deduct this authority’s tax on their federal return will in effect be a hidden tax on every Lincoln citizen who itemizes on their federal return. I would want to make sure there are no adverse tax implications to our citizens before considering the creation of this new tax authority.

6. Do you support the mayor's outcome-based budgeting process? Yes _X__ No ___

Explain:

In concept, I absolutely support a budget which is forward looking each and every year and is built from the bottom up to meet the upcoming priorities of the city each year and is NOT based on simply adding to last years department budgets.

However, I can only support this approach under the assumption that it doesn’t become a vehicle to justify ever higher city spending. The city still has to live within our means and fund only those programs which we in city government in an open dialog with our citizens deem most important that we can afford with no new taxes or new debt.

7. (B) Do you support a smart growth policy for the City of Lincoln? Yes ___ No _X__

Explain: In concept, a smart growth policy sounds very appealing in making Lincoln a more attractive place to both live and work. However, the implementation of a smart growth policy can, if not effectively managed, could create a new city bureaucracy and a corresponding bureaucratic maze and legal expenses for local businesses to either locate or expand in the city, thus stifling economic growth. The bureaucracy created to implement a smart growth policy also opens up the opportunity for deep-pocketed special interests to have in an inordinate say in the future of Lincoln and out of the hands of the ordinary citizen and small business owner.

I believe we can use strict zoning laws in conjunction with strict zoning enforcement to accomplish the same end-goal using the existing city departments and employees to make Lincoln both a livable city as well as one where businesses can thrive and grow delivering products and services our citizens desire in a city that also is very livable.

However, with that said, I would be open to hear opposing points of view, and would re-consider my views as stated here if I am absolutely satisfied that my concerns about the creation of a new bureaucracy, the creation of a bureaucratic maze, the stifling new business growth, and the interests of all the citizens not being fairly represented were all absolutely addressed not only to my satisfaction but to the satisfaction of our citizens.

8. (B) If you had to choose because of insufficient funds, would you support maintaining current infrastructure _X__ or expanding infrastructure ___?

Explain:

All city officials, elected or otherwise all are stewards for maintaining our current infrastructure for the benefit of all of our citizens. Unfortunately, maintaining existing infrastructure, whether it is roads, bridges, parks, or schools is NOT glamorous. Nor does fighting to maintain our city’s infrastructure make for headlines nor help elected officials to get elected. It is assumed by our citizenry that we will as stewards of the city as part of our responsibilities to the city and our citizens make this investment.

In keeping with my responsibility as an elected official I will always be a steward of maintaining our existing city infrastructure in a cost effective and efficient manner and only propose or support new infrastructure spending when the resources to do both exist without new taxes or debt.

9. (B) Impact fees were initiated in 2003 as a more equitable vehicle for assigning the costs of infrastructure requirements for new developments. Impact fees save money for taxpayers by holding down utility fees and tax rates to pay for infrastructure that does not directly benefit them. The initial impact fee was set at 50% of actual impact cost of a new house. Do you support the impact fee concept? Yes _X__ No ___ Should impact fees be adjusted for inflation? Yes ___ No _X__

Explain:

In concept, I believe in Impact Fees to more equitably assign the up-front costs of building new developments. The current 50% impact cost appears to be equitable.

However, we do also have to keep in mind that any initial infrastructure costs of a new development borne by the city does also result in increasing our property tax base ongoing into the future via new property taxes as well as generating other taxes paid by the new resident or business residing in the newly constructed home or building. Thus, even without any impact fees the city ultimately will recoup all of its initial infrastructure investment and a lot more over time.

Given, today’s economic climate, to encourage new development we need to make sure that the current 50% impact fee rate, is in reality not too low as well as not too high as to discourage builders from creating needed housing or commercial buildings the city requires to ensure our economic survival and growth.

10. Lincoln Electric System budgets money to bury power lines and is slowly working its way along key arterials. Do you support a small rate increase to accelerate this process in Lincoln neighborhoods? Yes ___ No _X__

Explain:

Given all the challenges the city of Lincoln and our citizens are facing, we can live with the current pace of burying power lines that have been in place for decades. Adding to rate increases to our electric bills to speed up this process is just one more hidden tax on our citizens. Plus, we all know once the power lines are all buried we will never see these new higher rates lowered, thus giving the electric company more profits at the expense of the average citizen.

Again, this initiative for “inverted electric rates” is just one more hidden tax on our citizens dressed up in fancy words which I cannot support.

12. Trees cool buildings and streets, reducing air conditioning costs, asphalt replacement cycles and storm-water runoff. Since the 1997 ice storm, Lincoln has replaced only a fraction of the lost trees. Trimming to maintain healthy trees has been severely curtailed. Do you favor more city funding for tree programs? Yes ___ No _X__

Explain:

Given the fact that the city has so many other priorities, I cannot imagine this initiative to provide more funding to the “tree programs” will make it high enough on the city’s priorities without raising taxes and fees to our residents and thus I cannot support it.

13. (B) Development in watershed areas upstream from neighborhoods frequently causes increased runoff during storms and increased insurance costs for businesses and neighborhoods. Will you enforce the three principles of "no net rise," "compensatory storage" and "no adverse impact" for new growth areas? Yes___ No _X__ Will you enforce the three principles for established urban areas? Yes ___ No _X__

Explain:

Of course we all want new developments to have minimal impact on the environment as well as to not adversely effect any other city residents or their property rights.

However, to put into effect a new all-encompassing regulation that will absolutely and without exception “enforce the three principles of "no net rise," "compensatory storage" and "no adverse impact" for new growth areas” will both limit the city’s economic growth as well as deprive owners of developable land of their rights to develop their land rendering it worthless.

However, we do also have to be mindful to ensure that any new development does not adversely due harm to any of our other citizens and to adversely impact the value of their property.

The city already has process and procedures to obtain all the necessary permits and to look at all the facts including environmental impacts on a case by case basis. I absolutely support looking into our current permit granting processes to ensure that environmental impacts are adequately assessed on a case by case basis, but I absolutely CANNOT support a blanket all-encompassing policy as described above.
14. Most scientists advocate reducing carbon footprints. Do you think city government should improve the energy efficiency of public facilities? Yes _X__ No ___ Do you favor city incentives for the private sector to reduce carbon footprints? Yes ___ No X___

Explain:

Of course everyone wants to reduce any and all unnecessary energy consumption as well as minimize any adverse impacts on the environment.

However, funding made available for the city to “improve the energy efficiency of public facilities” needs to be done on an objective and factual basis and NOT based on emotion. As responsible elected city officials we need to have an objective Return on Investment analysis conducted to ensure that any monies invested to “improve the energy efficiency of public facilities” makes economic sense to the city and is done in a responsible manner with input and support from all of our citizens.

Regarding providing “city incentives for the private sector to reduce carbon footprints”, we again need to do an objective Return on Investment analysis to ensure that any incentives we give to private industry which will result in reducing the city’s revenues accordingly are reductions in city revenues are in fact costs the city can in fact absorb.

a. _X__ I believe that the state is wrong and Lincoln may continue as in the past
b. _X__ City must retrofit all public buildings with latest water-saving devices to provide the “offset”
c. ___ City needs a major increase in water rates with "profits" to fund water-saving equipment and procedures to provide the “offset”
d. _X__ City must search for industries that do not require large amounts of water
e. _X__ City must buy water rights from neighboring farms and communities
f. __X_ City must fully fund Water Department's efforts to find other water sources
g. ___ Other (please specify):

First, this is a “preliminary declaration” by the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. As responsible city officials we need to seek to obtain a more favorable ruling from the state.

Just like with energy conservation, we need to do a responsible and objective Return on Investment analysis devoid of emotion to determine the extent of the requirement “to retrofit all public buildings with latest water-saving devices to provide the “offset”“ and reduce the city’s water usage and costs.

Of course we all want to attract businesses that do not require a lot of water usage and in fact have minimal impact on the environment.

Finally, in addition to conservation, we always need to be looking for the most cost effective sources of additional water supplies to support the city as well as both our current businesses and residents in addition to providing ample water to support our future growth.

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