Two-year city budget cycles proposed

First class cities in Nebraska would be authorized to change from an annual to a biennial budget process under a proposal heard by the Urban Affairs Committee Jan. 17.

LB868, sponsored by the committee, would amend the State Budget Act to allow cities of the first class to file biennial budgets with the state auditor’s office upon approval by city voters.

Crete mayor Roger Foster testified in support of the bill, saying the shift to a two-year budget cycle would allow communities like Crete to improve long-range fiscal planning and union contract negotiations.

“It would allow us to make better use of our time and tax dollars,” Foster said.

No opposition testimony was given and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.