My New Roads to Good Jobs Plan Will Build Lincoln’s Streets

“Great cities have an exceptional economy that creates good jobs. The obstacle to greatness Lincoln faces is funding the streets and infrastructure that are critical to growth. Under my plan, Lincoln can overcome the infrastructure barrier and create more roads, more sales, and more jobs,” said Lincoln Mayoral candidate Chris Beutler in announcing his “New Roads to Good Jobs” proposal.

Beutler’s plan involves a new and unique financing tool involving Lincoln’s sales tax authority. He would create “development districts” around the edges of the city where new sales tax revenue collected in the district would be set aside to pay for the street and infrastructure improvements in the district.

“Bonding allows us to build streets and the new businesses and new homes they attract more quickly. Tying those bonds to the sales tax created by these improvements allows the city to reap new benefits without further burdening our taxpayers,” Beutler said.

According to Beutler, the key to the plan is creating districts around proposed retail or commercial development that would generate new sales tax to the city. The development district would be large enough to fund improvements such as sewer, water, and neighborhoods streets so new homes and office space could also locate in the district. Major arterial roads would be widened or improved in the district to ensure smooth traffic flow and access.

“We have a backlog of over $135 million in streets needs, much of which could be addressed in the development districts. These districts can not only address future projects but the current street needs, making it easier for Lincoln citizens to drive home from work, go shopping, or get their children to school. It makes more sense to use future growth to pay for streets than continue to hit up property tax payers,” Beutler said.

Beutler’s plan also contains elements for Lincoln’s established neighborhoods as well, according to the candidate, “Only a portion of the new sales tax would be dedicated to paying for the development district bonds. The rest of the new sales tax would go to the City to pay for new police officers, new firefighters, parks, or any other amenities needed to maintain a high quality of life in the core of our city.”

The plan would require State Legislative approval to allow local sales tax to be bonded, a point that does not concern Beutler, “It’s all about leadership. I have a long history of leading change and I will use those experiences to build prosperity as the Mayor of Lincoln.”