LINCOLN, Nebraska – The first draft of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District’s (LPSNRD) Fiscal Year 2023 Budget emphasizes flood control, water quality, stream stability projects, and continuation of repairing aging infrastructure. The LPSNRD Board of Directors reviewed the budget draft at its June 15, 2022, monthly meeting.

LPSNRD Board Treasurer, Bob Andersen, noted that this meeting is only the first stage in the development of a balanced budget with meetings and public input opportunities in the coming months. The $39.8 million in planned expenditures is $2.4 million more than anticipated revenues. LPSNRD’s Finance and Planning Subcommittee will begin considering options to reduce expenditures once the end of the fiscal year numbers are available.

The initial draft includes these major projects and programs:

• 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
• Ground water 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 $500,000
• Salt Creek floodplain resiliency $300,000
• Flood control dam repairs and construction $800,000
• Saline Wetland Partnership projects $600,000
• MoPac East Trail-Lied Connector evaluation $100,000

Draft No. 1 of the budget is available at LPSNRD.org. Much work is needed to obtain a balanced budget to be considered for tentative LPSNRD Board approval in July. Final approval of the budget is expected in August and public input is encouraged throughout the budget process.  Here are some remaining opportunities for public input:

• Wednesday, July 20, 7:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting & Tentative Budget Approval
• Wednesday, Aug. 10, 5:30 PM – Public Hearing on Budget
• Wednesday, Aug. 17, 7:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting and Budget Approval
• Wednesday, Sept. 14, 7:00 PM – Board of Directors Meeting, Approval of LRIP and Tax Levy Rate Resolution

Public comments on the budget will be taken at all of these meetings, along with written comments. Early input is encouraged as it allows the Board of Directors more time to review.  Written comments may be submitted at the meetings, mailed to the LPSNRD, or emailed to probinson [at] lpsnrd.org. 

In other business the board:

• Approved a Community Assistance Program 50% cost-share with the Village of Valparaiso to complete a gazebo (event picnic shelter) near the Oak Creek Trail trailhead. ($14,000)
• Approved a Community Assistance Program application from the Pine Lake Homeowners Association Board to provide cost-share assistance for watershed analysis and outlet structure evaluation on the Pine Lake Dam. ($49,500)
• Approved a cost-share agreement with Papio-Missouri River NRD to assist with engineering services related to an evaluation of Platte River Railroad Obstructions near Plattsmouth. ($8,815)
• Approved streambank stabilization engineering services for Salt Creek 10th - 13th streets in Lincoln. ($45,855)
• Approved a variance request by Beverly Ragusa Living Trust to allow greater flexibility in utilizing their groundwater allocation on their farm near Valparaiso.
• Approved a $2,000 payment per full-time employee and $1,000 per part-time employee as an inflation adjustment payment and amended the General Manager’s Employment Agreement to include an additional three years and an approximate 3.7% increase per year.