Residents, first responders urge Lincoln council not to cut fire, EMS, police or recreation programs

Dozens of Lincoln residents packed the council chamber to oppose proposals that would reduce funding for the town’s emergency services and recreation programs, saying cuts would threaten public safety and drive people — especially younger families and seniors — from the town.

Speakers during the open‑forum period described personal emergencies, senior households stretched by rising property tax bills, and the role town services play in keeping the community viable. “When family needs protection, our police department must have the resources,” said Josh, a Lincoln resident who urged respectful discussion and warned that the town must choose whether to cut services or raise revenue. Eric Hines, who said he suffered a heart attack in March 2025, described how local EMS staff went on their day off to ensure he reached definitive care.

Multiple current and former town employees also addressed the council. Becca Peters, who identified herself as a Lincoln police officer, urged the council to consider staffing, recruitment and overtime burdens. A speaker who said she is the president of the Lincoln Firefighters Association pleaded for preserved staffing and warned that reduced personnel would increase risk to civilians and firefighters. Residents and business owners said recreation, library and school resource programs attract families and businesses and that cutting those services would have long‑term economic consequences.

Speakers also pressed the council about tax collection and assessment practices. Byron Sanderson, who said he had inspected properties for the assessing office last fall, asked whether properties found off the tax rolls would be added to 2027 valuations and whether the town would pursue the available three‑year or longer retroactive assessment windows.

Council members heard the public input and then voted to open a public hearing on the FY2027 municipal budget; the chair recorded six members in favor. The council then proceeded through the budget department by department, starting with revenue and the town manager’s office. Several councilors urged a temporary hiring freeze while staff clean up the town’s back‑office revenue and assessment records; others argued for more aggressive reductions to restore tax rates to earlier base levels.

The council and staff repeatedly urged residents that no final votes had been taken that night and that follow‑up meetings would provide additional detail. Council members asked for updated budget pages, a five‑year capital plan and a status report on the 156 properties flagged to the assessing and code enforcement offices. The council scheduled follow‑up work and requested additional documentation on revenue assumptions, trust‑fund withdrawals and any proposed capital expenditures.

The public hearing remains open; the council asked staff to provide updated revenue schedules and the requested capital and five‑year plan at the next meeting.