LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (LPSNRD) Board of Directors and members of the public who attend will be briefed on the initial draft of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, when the board meets Wednesday, June 15, starting one hour earlier than usual, at 6:00 PM, at the NRD office, 3125 Portia Street, in Lincoln.  The public may review the draft budget prior to the meeting by visiting LPSNRD.org.  Anyone wanting to make comments concerning the draft budget may do so during the meeting or via email.  While public input is invited throughout the budget process, public comments should be made as early as possible, to maximize the Board’s ability to respond. 

The board’s annual Budget Public Input Session will begin early in the meeting.  General Manager Paul Zillig will provide an overall summary of the draft budget and examine major programs and projects included in the draft.  The board and public will, then, have an opportunity to comment.  Emailed comments received prior to the meeting will be presented.  To provide emailed comments, address them to mmascoe [at] LPSNRD.org. 

LPSNRD Directors and staff have been meeting to prepare the 1st Draft of the FY 2023 Budget.  Draft budget expenditures total $39.8 million, which is $2.4 million more than anticipated revenues.  LPSNRD’s Finance and Planning Subcommittee has reviewed the draft and discussed options to reduce expenditures.  The end of the current fiscal year will occur June 30th so the final financial information for the current fiscal year is not yet available.  It is anticipated the budget will be close to being balanced at that time.  Protecting and repairing aging infrastructure remains a high priority for the NRD along with ground water protection and improving surface water quality.  Major projects and proposed expenditures include work on: 

• Deadmans Run Flood Reduction Project $5.9 million
• Antelope Creek 39th Street Repair project $2.1 million
• Landowner cost-share assistance for Surface Water Quality Practices (terrace systems, buffer strips, cover crops, etc.) $2 million
• Groundwater protection, studies, monitoring, testing, mapping & best management practices $1.2 million
• Stream Stability project on Lynn Creek & Salt Creek $1.1 million.
• Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch Project $1 million
• Stream stabilization and bridge protection along several trail corridors $1.2 million
• Salt Creek Levee repairs $1 million
• Community Assistance Program $0.5 million
• Salt Creek floodplain resiliency $0.3 million
• Flood control dam repairs and construction $0.8 million
• Saline Wetland Partnership projects $0.6 million
• MoPac East Trail-Lied Connector evaluation $100,000

After their review of the initial draft budget, the board and staff will continue to develop a balanced budget of revenue and expenditures for presentation to the board in July, when the board is expected to approve a tentative budget.  Several opportunities for public comment directly to the Board of Directors are built-in to the budget process and a schedule of public comment opportunities is also available at LPSNRD.org.