The Lincoln Township Board of Trustees has approved a budget for 2026-2027, but it could still be changed to address some of their concerns about a reduction in the reserve funds.
Township Manager Kacey Dominguez presented the budget plan to trustees on Tuesday during a public hearing. The budget anticipates about $11.6 million in revenues and $13.3 million in expenditures, leaving a deficit of about $1.6 million. Dominguez told us it’s due to ongoing capital projects that need to be finished.
“We got a grant to redo the township beach, but it’s still $200,000 of township required matching funds,” Dominguez said. “There’s a handful of infrastructure projects that we need to do. There’s a handful of sewer replacement and improvement projects we need to do. So we are taking this year and last to do some of these large projects, and we have the fund reserves to cover those costs.”
Dominguez said this will have the township drawing down its fund balance, or savings, throughout the year. Next year, she said the priority will be replenishing the reserves and spending much more conservatively.
Dominguez told trustees other priorities for the year include securing more grants, improving the sustainability of the sports fields, merging redundant funds, and less reliance on consultants and attorneys.
Trustees approved the budget, but will hold a budget amendment meeting on March 26 for more discussion. Treasurer Terrie Smith smith said it makes her nervous to see the reserves grow thin.
