OUR VIEW: Let’s watch all city spending

A new fence for the Clemmons Park baseball diamond. Walking trails around Johnson Lake. Ornamental fencing at Ridge Cemetery. Thanks to keno matching funds, these projects and dozens of others like them are improving Fremont.

But a recent decision by the Fremont City Council could mean the groups that worked for these community betterment projects would have to double their efforts. Last week, council members decided to delay spending any keno funds set aside to match money raised by community groups to improve the city.

Basically, the city froze $69,000 in revenue generated from taxes collected from those who choose to play keno. But that represents a fraction of all of the revenue generated from keno.

Fremont uses those gambling proceeds to fund capital improvement projects for Keene Memorial Library and the Fremont Parks and Recreation Department. A portion of the revenue is paid to Inglewood as part of an agreement that keeps the village from having its own keno operations. Other recipients are a city redevelopment fund ($5,000 per year) and the Department of Utilities ($2,400 per year). Nebraska also grabs a portion of that revenue in the form of keno taxes.

Council members fear a softening economy would mean fewer dollars spent on keno. Yet it seems people play keno in good times and bad. Over the past eight fiscal years, Fremont has averaged $533,200 in keno revenues each year, city records show. The lowest amount collected was $481,500 in 2004. In 2007, the city collected $567,100.

But why only target a fund that represents just 14 percent, on average, of the total revenue? Capital projects for the library and parks aren’t impacted by last week’s decision. Meanwhile, those groups that want to make Fremont a better place to live could be forced to raise twice as much money for their projects. (Typically, keno funds are used to provide a 50 percent match on approved projects.)

Having solid financial information is important and we understand council members’ desire to wait to make sure the money is there. We would be better served by a careful analysis of past revenue and making adjustments to all sectors of the budget. If items need to be delayed, fine. City leaders can work to set priorities and proceed only with those projects that are deemed necessary right now.

At the same time, city leaders need to watch all aspects of the budget. Shortly before freezing the keno match funds, council members approved chipping in $30,000 of city dollars for a community events organizer.

If Fremont needs to tighten its financial belt, then city leaders need to send a clear message. To us, telling civic groups to wait while allowing capital projects or creating a new position is sending mixed signals.

Cheers for volunteers

The true heroes of Fremont’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner are those who show up each year asking one question: "How can I help?" About 3,100 meals were served this year, and dozens of volunteers made that happen.

They come in all sizes - from youngsters to senior citizens - to share of themselves so everyone wishing to can have a wholesome Thanksgiving dinner. Volunteers dish up turkey and dressing, serve pie and deliver meals to those who can’t make it to the dinner.

Amazingly, organizers never make an official call for volunteers. Folks just show up.

For that, we say thank you.