Lincoln City Connect

🔥 LCC HOT TOPIC 🔥

Proposed Charter Changes Could Be Headed to Lincoln City Voters

📜 What is a City Charter?
Think of it as Lincoln City's local constitution. It establishes how city government operates, how council seats are filled, and how certain city decisions are made.

The Charter Review Committee has completed its work and presented a proposed update to the City Council. If approved, voters could see a charter measure on the November 2026 ballot.

Proposed Changes Being Discussed

🏠 Council Residency

Councilors who move to a different ward could remain in office as long as they continue living within Lincoln City.

👔 City Manager Pro Tem

New limits and procedures for temporary city managers.

🗳️ Election Ties

Future ordinance may establish how tied elections are resolved.

🏛️ Council Vacancies & Quorum

Clarifies how vacancies are filled and how many council members are needed to conduct city business.

📂 Access to Information

Ensures all council members have equal access to request city information.

⚖️ Municipal Court Updates

Clarifies court jurisdiction and authority.

Items Left Unchanged

✅ No proposal for council salaries
✅ No ranked-choice voting proposal
✅ No major changes to current Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) provisions

Important Dates

📅 July 27, 2026
Last scheduled council meeting to approve sending the measure to voters.

📅 August 13, 2026
Deadline to submit measures for the November ballot.

Why It Matters

The City Charter affects how Lincoln City government functions for years to come. Whether you support the proposed changes or not, understanding what's being considered helps residents make informed decisions when election season arrives.

🔍 Lincoln City Connect will continue following the process and providing updates as information becomes available.

Stay Connected. Stay Informed. Your Voice Matters.
Lincoln City Connect

🔍 HOT TOPIC: How Should Lincoln City Engage With Residents?

The City is developing a new Community Engagement Plan called ENGAGE Lincoln City that could reshape how residents receive information and participate in local decisions.

Some proposed ideas include:
✅ More surveys and polls
✅ Better email notifications
✅ More online participation options
✅ A Community Ambassador Program
✅ Improved website and social media communication
✅ Greater outreach to underrepresented groups
✅ Better explanations of how public input affects decisions

The draft also acknowledges that rebuilding public trust is an ongoing challenge and states that residents want more transparency, accountability, and meaningful opportunities to be heard.

Question for the community:
What is the biggest thing Lincoln City could do to improve communication and public engagement? Ideas- email info@lincolncityconnect@gmail.com

This is an independent summary provided by Lincoln City Connect and is not an official City document.

LINCOLN SQUARE / CITY HALL Town Hall Recap

June 23, 2026 –

Important: This was a community conversation and public engagement meeting, not a City Council vote. No final decision has been made regarding the future of City Hall, Driftwood Library, or the Lincoln Square property.

Lincoln City hosted a Town Hall regarding the future of City Hall, Driftwood Library, and the Lincoln Square property. Approximately 25–30 people attended, including city staff, consultants, elected officials, and community members.

WHY THE DISCUSSION IS HAPPENING

The current Lincoln Square building was constructed in 1984 and houses City Hall, Driftwood Library, McKay's Market, and several nonprofit organizations.

According to the presentation:

• Building size: 110,150 square feet

• Annual operating costs: approximately $1.12 million

• Known deferred maintenance: approximately $2.8 million

• Future upgrades identified: approximately $11.2 million

City staff also discussed concerns related to aging infrastructure, parking limitations, accessibility, security, and maintaining a building that is significantly larger than current City and Library space needs.

SPACE NEEDS DISCUSSED

The presentation indicated:

• City Hall space needs: approximately 15,000 square feet

• Library space needs: approximately 15,000 square feet

• Combined need: approximately 30,000 square feet

This was compared to the current building size of 110,150 square feet.

LIBRARY NEEDS IDENTIFIED

Library staff discussed challenges with the current facility, including:

• Parking limitations

• Water intrusion and aging windows

• Insufficient lighting and sound isolation

• Difficulty supervising activity throughout the building layout

• Limited dedicated teen and outdoor activity space

• Technology and accessibility improvements desired for future facilities

THREE OPTIONS PRESENTED

Option 1 – Renovate Existing Building

• Renovate and modernize the current facility

• Upgrade mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems

• Upgrade the parking structure

• Renovate McKay's Market area

• Include a tsunami evacuation route

Estimated total project cost: approximately $31.5 million

Option 2 – Redevelop Existing Site

• Demolish the current building

• Construct a smaller City Hall and Library on the existing site

• Include parking below the building

• Include community spaces and children's garden areas

• Include a tsunami evacuation route

Estimated total project cost: approximately $45.1 million

Option 3 – Alternate Site

• Construct a new City Hall and Library at a different location

• Include surface parking and community spaces

• Include council chambers

• Include a new access route

• Allow future development opportunities for the current Lincoln Square property

Estimated total project cost: approximately $58 million

FUNDING DISCUSSION

City representatives discussed that a project of this size would likely require voter approval through a bond measure. Based on the discussion presented, the current timeline being discussed could place a bond measure before voters as early as November, should City Council ultimately decide to move forward with a preferred option.

Several attendees raised questions regarding how a bond would impact property owners. While specific tax impacts were not finalized during the meeting, bond financing is typically repaid through property taxes. Any future bond proposal would include estimated tax rates and costs to property owners before going before voters.

QUESTIONS RAISED BY ATTENDEES

Community members asked questions regarding:

• Potential property tax increases

• Future operating costs

• Cost overruns and contingency planning

• Future use of the Lincoln Square property

• Parking availability

• Long-term community priorities

• Funding mechanisms and bond financing

PUBLIC FEEDBACK

At the conclusion of the meeting, attendees participated in a preference vote regarding the options presented. According to attendees present, Option 2 received the most support among those participating in the exercise.

NEXT STEPS

City staff indicated that additional community engagement opportunities are planned before City Council considers selecting a preferred direction. Town Hall is scheduled for July 2nd 12pm at the Community Center.

Residents are encouraged to review the presentation materials, attend future meetings, ask questions, and stay informed as additional information becomes available.

Lincoln City Connect will continue following the discussion and sharing information as it becomes available.

This summary is intended to provide factual information discussed during the June 23 Town Hall and does not advocate for or against any option.

Water/Sewer Public Engagement

📊 Proposed Utility Rate Changes: What We Know So Far

According to documents reviewed by Lincoln City Connect, the proposed utility rate restructuring would increase annual utility revenue by approximately $1.83 million, from $10.6 million to $12.4 million per year.

Current Annual Utility Revenue:
💧 Water: $4,913,200
🚽 Wastewater: $5,688,199
📈 Total: $10,601,399

Proposed Annual Utility Revenue:
💧 Water: $5,540,290
🚽 Wastewater: $6,886,945
📈 Total: $12,427,235

Estimated Increase:
📈 $1,825,836 annually
📈 Approximately 17.2% increase in total utility revenue

⚠️ Customer Bill Impact Examples

The rate comparison sheet indicates that impacts vary significantly depending on water usage:

• Less than 200 cubic feet: No increase
• Around 300 cubic feet: Approximately 15% increase
• Around 400 cubic feet: Approximately 31% increase
• Around 500 cubic feet: Approximately 26% increase
• Around 1,000 cubic feet: Approximately 19%–24% increase

The proposal also includes:

• Reducing the residential included water allowance from 400 cubic feet to 200 cubic feet
• Moving short-term rentals from residential to commercial utility rates
• New tiered rate structures

Lincoln City Connect requested additional information from City staff regarding customer usage data, customer counts by usage category, and the overall impacts of the proposal. Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.

What are your thoughts on the proposed changes?

Lincoln City Considering Major Changes to City Hall & Library — Public Input Needed

Attend a Town Hall meeting and help decide the future of Lincoln Square before a potential tax levy goes before voters in November 2026.

⚠️4/1- The parking lot under City Hall/Driftwood Library is closed due to a maintenance issue. Parking will be available in the parking lot in front of McKay's Market.