MAINTAINING
LINCOLN
City Council
JUNE 23, 2026
BACKGROUND
While Lincoln remains one of the safest
cities in the region, the City is facing
budget challenges affecting our ability to
maintain core services the community
relies on, especially public safety.
We are working hard to maintain 911
emergency response times, and police
and fire services while maintaining fiscal
accountability.
FIVE
-
YEAR FORECAST
FY26
FY27
FY28
FY29
FY30
CAUSE OF BUDGET CHALLENGES
Lincoln’s budget challenges are driven
by factors largely outside local control,
including:
•
State takeaways
•
Unfunded mandates
•
Expiration of temporary funding
from Placer County
•
Inequity in property tax sharing
agreements
STEPS TAKEN BY CITY
The City has taken significant steps to manage costs, including:
•
Delaying projects
•
Holding positions vacant
•
Prioritizing essential services
•
Comprehensive review of City operations
•
Pension trust
•
Phasing out retiree medical
•
Reducing consultant services
These actions have helped stretch limited resources, but they cannot fully offset rising costs or replace the loss of temporary funding.
COMMUNITY RESEARCH BY FM3
First, would you say things in the City of Lincoln are headed in the right direction, or do you feel they are off on the wrong track?
Next, please indicate whether you strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove, or strongly disapprove of the job that each of the following departments in the City of Lincoln are doing.
First, please consider the following issues that some people suggest are problems facing Lincoln. For each one, please indicate whether you think it is an extremely serious problem, a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, or not too serious a problem for residents of Lincoln.
Next, do you feel the following statements are accurate or inaccurate?
Next, in your personal opinion, do you think there is a great need, some need, a little need, or no real need for additional funds to provide the level of city services that residents of Lincoln need and want?
Financial Oversight
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Over the past year, the City has engaged the community through surveys, Coffee with the Chiefs, and nearly 20 townhall type meetings at various locations throughout Lincoln.
The following priorities were identified:
•
Maintaining 9
-
1 -
1 emergency response times
•
Preventing cuts to fire protection and response services •
Preventing cuts to police services
•
Retaining and attracting qualified police officers and firefighters •
Keeping public areas healthy, safe, and clean
•
Adding trained paramedics to our fire department
PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS
Lincoln Police Department
•
Retention
•
Recruitment
•
Patrol staffing
•
Specialty unit staffing
PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS
Lincoln Fire Department
•
Tax measure is needed for ALS Service
WITHOUT
WITH
STAFFING
CUTS
NO ALS
SERVICE
WIDENING SERVICE
GAP
INCREASED
RISK
INCREASE
STAFFING
ALS
SERVICE
SUSTAINABLE
SERVICE
INCREASED
SAFETY
We risk
LOSING
what we have, not gaining what we
NEED
PUBLIC SAFETY PER CAPITA
RECOMMENDED ACTION
•
Adopt a Resolution Declaring an Election on November 3, 2026; Requesting the Placer County Board of Supervisors to Consolidate the Election; and Requesting Election Services by the Placer County Clerk •
Adopt a Resolution Submitting a Ballot Measure to Voters to Approve a Local One Cent (1¢) Sales Tax for General City Revenue Purposes
BALLOT QUESTION
Lincoln Public Safety/Taxpayer Protection Measure.
Shall the
measure to prevent cuts to public safety services (911
emergency/medical response, police/fire protection, qualified police/firefighters); add life
-
saving equipment for medical
emergencies; keep public area/streets/parks safe and clean; and other general government uses, by establishing a one
-
cent sales tax,
providing $6,000,000 annually, with all funds spent locally until ended by voters, with a citizen oversight committee, and annual audit/public spending disclosure, be adopted?
One
-
Cent Sales Tax
Until Ended by Voters or Term
THANK
YOU