My wife and I have lived in Lincoln for over 10 years. I have observed our City Council do some great things for the community and some questionable things but I have never written in about the more questionable things. However, with the latest actions by the City Council and staff, I can not just sit by and watch what could possibly happen.

The city is currently asking for community input on what the priorities should be for budget priorities. They have been soliciting the city’s residences’ through a questioner on what the people think should be the priorities.

The list they gave was:

1. Maintaining 911 emergency and medical response times,

2. Preventing further decreases in police officers and firefighters protecting the city,

3. Maintaining the financial viability of the city,

4. Restoring staffing at the fire station,

5. Preventing the city’s general fund from going broke,

6. Restoring Police Officers,

7. Maintaining library services,

8. Maintaining remaining after-school programs for youth

9. Maintaining parks and recreation programs, and last

10. Other:

We have seen similar lists before by other agencies where they put the most sacred items on a list so the citizens say, “no, we really need them.” The governing bodies seem to like leaving off those lists items the public may be more likely to say, “yea, maybe for now, that item could be cut.” Items such as the newly created $145,290 assistant city manager and CFO; assistant director of development services, finance; development manger; public information officer; assistant director of recreation; etc. Please note that in the above list, there are three assistant directors. Does that mean there are also directors of these same functions?

The “sacred list” they created will certainly get mostly responses that these all are badly needed items and should not be cut. The city could then say the public has spoken and they need to raise the taxes to pay for them. They are already dropping hints about adding a utility users’ tax. Well guess what. The above list of 10 are not the only items that should be considered. Everything should be on the table. Not just the things the public will likely raise a big fuss about. Either have a complete list for public comment or no list at all.

I do not pretend to know what is best for Lincoln. I do not have the big picture. The City Council should. That is their job.

If you agree with me and want to give your other priorities to cut to the City budget, you can do so through their Web page at www.ci.lincoln.

ca.us/index.cfm?page=480384&news_id=760326 and fill out item #10, “Other.”

Doing nothing may take us down the road of new taxes.

Jim Bringle, Lincoln