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Lincoln City Council
Council Approves Logo, Debates Street Repair Strategy, and Reviews
Tax Ordinance
[July 25, 2025]
All members of the Lincoln City
Council were present for the regular meeting held Monday evening,
July 22, 2025. The meeting covered topics including the approval of
a new tourism logo, a proposed shift in road maintenance strategy,
the implementation of a municipal grocery tax, and routine financial
reports.
Public participation was closed with no speakers, and the council
moved up the agenda item regarding the tourism department’s logo to
accommodate Tourism Director Scott McCoy’s schedule.
McCoy presented updated versions of the city’s tourism logo, noting
community feedback on the original design. "Some people thought [the
Lincoln figure] shouldn’t be quite so, quote unquote, cartoonish,”
he said. In response, the updated version featured a more realistic
depiction of Lincoln, various color options, and the removal of a
top hat while keeping the iconic beard. McCoy explained, “The beard
does make it Lincoln. When we removed it, it looked like the mayor.”
Alderman Kevin Bateman supported keeping traditional features. “If
you ask people around the world to close their eyes and picture
Abraham Lincoln, this is what they're seeing,” he said. The council
approved the updated logo unanimously after an amended motion
clarified which design version was being accepted.
The council also passed an ordinance to implement a municipal
grocery retailers occupation tax and grocery service occupation tax.
Bateman emphasized that this was not a new tax, but a shift in how
an existing state tax is collected at the local level. “It is simply
the exact same tax that people have been paying... The city isn't
getting ready to vote on any brand-new tax,” he said.
During discussion of upcoming road
repair projects, Bateman advocated for replacing the city’s reliance
on oil and chip resurfacing with scarification methods, citing
public feedback. “We’re not putting lipstick on a pig,” he said.
“The potholes are fixed. The divots are fixed. The ruts are fixed.”
Street and Alley Superintendent Walt Landers clarified that
scarification is reserved for roads in worse condition, while oil
and chip resurfacing is used for streets in relatively good shape.
He offered comparative costs: approximately $16 per linear foot for
oil and chip, $36 for scarification, and $76 for mill and overlay.
Landers invited citizens and aldermen to meet with him to better
understand the repair decision-making process. “ I'll sit down with
anybody and explain, and not persuade, the processes and how we go
about choosing these roads.”
Mayor Tracy Welch supported Bateman’s suggestion to form a group to
further evaluate roadwork strategies but cautioned, “Higher quality
means less roads. Less roads takes more time. People will get
frustrated.”
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Other approvals during the
meeting included:
● The 2025–2026 fiscal year appropriations ordinance
● Requests for bids for the 2025 MFT scarification, oil, and chip
contract
● A master service agreement for a compensation study with MGT
Impact Solutions
● Two funding items for the wastewater treatment plant totaling over
$62,000
● A donation agreement between the city and John and Darlene Rue for
a Route 66 model train exhibit
City Treasurer Chuck Conzo presented his June report, noting an
improved position for the General Fund due in part to a one-time
police department hiring and retention grant. “We are in a better
position than we were a month ago, although not quite as good as we
were last year at this time,” he said.
Alderman Bateman praised the impact of the city’s DARE program,
noting increased funding from cannabis tax revenues and recognition
of Officer Fruge, who recently won an award for Outstanding DARE
Officer. “That’s money well spent,” Bateman said.
Mayor Welch closed the meeting by thanking the Third Friday
Committee for their work throughout the season. Bateman announced he
will bring forward a proposal next week to expand street space for
the growing Balloons Over 66 Festival.
The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
[Sophia Larimore]
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