February 12 - Mayor announces PRIORITY LINCOLN effort to solicit public opinion on how City spends tax dollars. City partners on project with University of Nebraska Public Policy Center with funding from the Lincoln Community Foundation.
March - Phone survey of 600 randomly selected residents.
April 12 - Follow up meeting with about 50 phone survey participants. Portions aired on 5 CITY-TV.
April 21 - Phone survey results show residents rank safety and security and economic opportunity high.
April and May - About 1,300 residents complete online survey or printed copy. About 200 residents participate in series of town hall meetings.
Summer - Mayor and City Directors use PRIORITY LINCOLN results to shape budget.
Fall - Mayor works with directors and private citizens to identify goals for eight City outcomes: Safety and Security, Economic Opportunity, Health and Productive People, Livable Neighborhoods, Effective Transportation, Environmental Quality, Accountable Government and Identity Lincoln.
2009
February 5 - City releases "Taking Charge: Progress Measures and Program Prioritization" and asks for public input on budget planning document.
April and May - About 1,800 participate in "Taking Charge" online educational survey focusing on programs and services in danger of being cut or eliminated.
May 16 - Day-long in-depth discussion with about 100 residents on City budget. Portions aired on 5 CITY-TV.
Summer and Fall - Mayor works with City Directors and private citizens on indicators for goal areas.
November 19 - Mayor announces City Stat meetings, random phone and online survey.
December - City Stat meetings held, phone survey completed, and online survey begins
2010
January - Phone survey results show high citizen satisfaction.
May - Residents participate in Taking Charge budget discussion at City Hall and online.
June - City's program prioritization list released and public is encouraged to comment.
2011
May 10 - Mayor announces new Taking Charge online budget survey that asks participants to make funding decisions on nine City programs.
May 31 - City releases new prioritized program list that includes estimated cost of providing programs and encourages public to comment.
July 12 - Results of Taking Charge online budget survey shows majority of those participating preferred moderate increase in taxes rather than cuts in services.
December 13 - Mayor announces second Taking Charge Lincoln Satisfaction Survey (first one was in December 2009). Surveys will be mailed to randomly-selected households.
