Sales Tax Watchdogs Named

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird Friday announced the members of the newly appointed Advisory Committee on Transportation (ACT).  The 14-member group will keep an eye on the street repairs funded by the quarter-cent sales tax approved by Lincoln voters in April.  More than $70 million is expected to be generated over six years.  Throughout the City’s controversial Education Campaign, voters were assured that a significant share of the revenue would be spent on residential streets, and that it would be shared equally among all four quadrants of the City.

“I thank the ACT members for their willingness to help guide our efforts as we improve our city’s streets. I look forward to working with them on this top priority in the coming months,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird.

The Mayor said the committee  represents geographic parity and provides a diversity of perspectives for the initiative.  Members have been asked to serve a two-year term and are eligible for reappointment.  The committee will meet monthly beginning this summer.  Lincoln Transportation and Utilities says it will seek public input on street projects through open houses in each quadrant of the city and online town hall meetings.  No schedule of events has yet been announced.

Committee members include co-chairs Shannon Harner and Mike Dekalb; neighborhood quadrant residents Ken Cooper (NE), Megan Stock (SE), Genelle Moore (SW), and Brett Ebert (NW); at-large community residents Russell Miller, Pablo Cervantes, and Amy Eidenmiller; growth and development representatives Don Linscott, Rick Krueger, and Todd Wiltgen; transportation advocate Barb Fraser; and engineering industry representative Jeanne McClure.

The new quarter cent local sales tax will be collected beginning October 1, and projects using those funds are expected to begin in spring 2020.

BACKGROUND: Mayor Is Committed To Fixing Lincoln Streets With New Sales Tax

Mayor Promises Neighborhood Co-Chair On Sales Tax Committee