Now
Fair
32°
High
33°
Low
26°
Full Forecast

Jobs

Cars

Homes

Rentals

Alerts

Subscribe
Home > News > Local
Bookmark Us   •   Make Us Your Homepage

Deena Winter: Svoboda overpaid by city, too

Comments 43 comment(s)  
E-mail Story E-mail Story
Print Story Print Story
Share  Share
Text Size: 
Tools Sponsor

Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007 - 12:58:08 am CDT

Because Chris Beutler was accidentally overpaid about $10,000 for the work he did raising money for the city Parks Department, maybe it was only fair that his mayoral opponent, City Councilman Ken Svoboda, also get overpaid for maintaining landscaping  for the city.

And so he did. Svoboda said he was recently overpaid about $9,500 for median maintenance work done by his family-owned company, Ray’s Lawn and Home Care.

Ray’s has been phasing out its city work because Svoboda is running for mayor, and the overpayment came when the company was paid for work on some of its final contracts.

Story Photo

Svoboda said he caught the error and notified city officials last week. After verifying the overpayment, he said he put a check in the mail. The city received Svoboda’s check Monday.

This month, while compiling Beutler’s pay information for the Journal Star, city officials discovered Beutler received two extra paychecks worth about $10,000 total during the nearly seven years he worked for the city as an independent contractor. He received extra payments in 2005 and late last year.

Beutler reimbursed the city after city officials informed him of the overpayment.

City Finance Director Don Herz said he was “obviously not very happy that we’re dealing with this again.” Of the more than 100,000 payments processed by the city annually, worth more than $300 million, he said normally only two or three overpayments to vendors are discovered.

“I’m concerned now,” he said. “I’m not too happy with two of these occurring in a relatively short amount of time.”

He plans to put together an action plan that will include training, payment procedures and forensic analysis of payments to vendors over the past few years to look for problems and make sure there haven’t been other double payments.

He has not figured out how Svoboda’s overpayment happened.

Svoboda hires another consultant

Word on the street was that Svoboda was shaking things up in his campaign for mayor, but the candidate said he just hired an additional media consultant to refine his campaign message.

The new consultant began working for him this week, but Svoboda wouldn’t identify him or her.

“I don’t really know the name of the consultant,” he said.

He said Lincoln advertising agency Snitily Carr is still working for his campaign, too.

Svoboda said he also interviewed the consultant who worked for Gov. Dave Heineman “at his (Heineman’s) request,” but Svoboda said he “didn’t feel comfortable with an East Coast company.”

Would Wesely work for Beutler?

Republicans occasionally whisper that former Mayor Don Wesely would have some kind of role in Beutler’s administration, if he’s elected.

Wesely dismissed that idea, and Beutler said, “I’m trying to win this campaign, and I’m not going to be talking about individual people.”

When pressed, Beutler said, “I think the answer is no.”

Neighborhood group gives grades

The Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance — which advocates on behalf of neighborhood issues — has given out grades to the people running for City Council and mayor.

The grades were based on candidates’ stances on issues in which 17 neighborhood associations are interested, including sidewalk repairs, downzoning, neighborhood design standards, widening streets, burying power lines and alternative transportation modes.

The results:

Mayor: Chris Beutler: B, Ken Svoboda: D

City Council: District 1 - Doug Emery: B, LaRae Eifert: C. District 2 - Allan Abbott: D, Jon Camp: B. District 3 - Jonathan Cook: A, John Erickson: C. District 4 - John Spatz: C, Annette McRoy: B.

To read the candidates’ answers, go to www.lincolnneighborhoods.org.

Chamber gives scores

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce also recently gave out some scores. The chamber gave candidates a score of 1 to 4 (with 4 being the best) based on their answers to such questions as how to find money to build new roads, the use of tax increment financing, how much funding economic development should get, government mergers, cutting personnel costs and flood plain standards.

Here are the results:

Mayor: Svoboda: 3.13, Beutler: 2.78. District 1 - Doug Emery: 2.68, LaRae Eifert: 2.18. District 2 - Allan Abbott: 2.39, Jon Camp: 3.06. District 3 - Jonathan Cook: 2.43, John Erickson: 2.88. District 4 - John Spatz: 2.45, Annette McRoy: 2.51.

To read the candidates’ answers, go to www.lcoc.com and click on the “Election 2007” icon.

Kinsey endorses Camp

Former District 2 City Council candidate Jane Kinsey — who won a respectable 23 percent of the vote in the April 3 primary — threw her support behind Jon Camp last week.

That wouldn’t be surprising, considering Kinsey and Camp are both Republicans, if she hadn’t challenged him for his seat and been quite vocal in her criticism of Camp during the campaign. But after meeting with Abbott and Camp, she went with her former adversary.

Kinsey said they agreed that taxes shouldn’t be raised, that the City Council should be more open and responsive and that City Hall needs more oversight.

Abbott said he was surprised by Kinsey’s decision because she ran on a need for change.

“A vote for Jon Camp will not create change,” he said.

City union endorses candidates

Last week one of the city’s five unions came out with its endorsements in the coming election.

The Public Association of Government Employees, which represents nearly 500 blue collar, technical and clerical employees, has endorsed: 

* Emery in District 1.

* Abbott in District 2.

* Cook in District 3.

* McRoy in District 4.

All are Democrats except Abbott, who is registered as an independent but has been endorsed by the Lancaster County Democratic Party.

“The membership was impressed that these candidates give us hope that the current negativity on the council might be replaced by positive, forward-thinking leadership,” union President Jeff Stump said in a news release. “These candidates are also not beholden to LIBA (the Lincoln Independent Business Association) or other special interests that seek to hold back progress in our city.”

Write-in candidate

A Lincoln man is running for mayor as a write-in candidate May 1.

Jim Wilson, who says he is a 59-year-old Vietnam veteran, has filed the necessary paperwork to be a write-in candidate for mayor. His name won’t be on the ballot but can be written in by voters.

Wilson unsuccessfully ran for Congress last year, losing to Maxine Moul in the primary election.

In a handwritten announcement, he said he supports a city manager form of government, drive-in theaters, expanded StarTran hours, a bicameral Legislature and creation of a senior citizens co-ed softball team. He said he’s pro-choice and “pro-smoker” and proposed a tobacco tax “to pay off fines at our libraries for children’s overdue materials.”

Quote of the week

“In sports, I would like to see Nebraska play Michigan in football this August.” — write-in mayoral candidate Jim Wilson, in his statement to the press outlining 15 goals. This was No. 4.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


$1 Sunday Delivery - Subscribe Today!
Local > Back to Top of Story

Post Your Comment

Standards and Rules
All posts to JournalStar.com are subject to our Terms and Standards.
Your posted comment will appear after it has been approved.
Frequently asked questions about story commenting.
(optional)
   
Hide Comments Hide Comments   Newest First Newest First  
Late O' Day wrote on April 18, 2007 2:00 am:
" [ x ] None of the above. "

 Need More Proof? wrote on April 18, 2007 2:36 am:
" Another example of how Buetler is the best choice for Mayor. And maybe we should have an independent accounting firm examine the the offices of City Finance Director Don Herz to see if anyone else is being overpaid at taxpayer expense. "

 Moving wrote on April 18, 2007 6:01 am:
" Who is writing the checks at the city? It's no wonder we are being taxed to death. "

 nitemare wrote on April 18, 2007 7:10 am:
" Wilson has my vote. Anyone who feels the mayors office has the authority to schedule Nebraska football games is okay in my book. Perhaps Wilson could also eliminiate "q" from the alphabet since we don't use it that often? Maybe lift the trade embargo with Cuba as well? They options of the Mayors office with Wilson in charge could be endless. This blog is now the official "What would Wilson do" blog - everyone please post below!: "

 Steve wrote on April 18, 2007 7:31 am:
" I think I'm going to run for Mayor - I could use an extra $10,000.... "

 Observer wrote on April 18, 2007 7:34 am:
" ...and the "beat goes on"!! Sounds like Mr. Herz needs to go down the road also. "

 another example wrote on April 18, 2007 8:25 am:
" Another example of the current DEMOCRAT administration who is spending money like Paris Hilton. Beutler is NOT the answer as he is so very closely linked to this existing administration.Nothing would change with beutler. "

 Robb wrote on April 18, 2007 8:28 am:
" Can I please get a city contract? I am short about $10,000 (TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) in my bank account. Seems like only people who run for mayor gives back money. I think anyone who "earns" a city contract should be forced to run for mayor. Seriously, how many of my dollars are being overpaid to these city contracts, and not being caught? I want that accountant fired! "

 Mike Honcho wrote on April 18, 2007 8:30 am:
" Exactly how does this make Beutler a better choice for mayor? He had to have his error pointed out to him...at least Svoboda pays close enough attention to his business records that he was able to spot the error and correct it himself. "

 It's getting dirty wrote on April 18, 2007 8:30 am:
" Let's keep the negative campaigning out of this race. I'm sure both candidates would agree that it's not a requirement for running. "

 Mark wrote on April 18, 2007 8:30 am:
" I guess after 8 years of Democratic rule in this city, it's no wonder people are being overpaid...just another example why Ken Svoboda is the best choice for Mayor. "

 Mrs. B wrote on April 18, 2007 8:33 am:
" Who is the City hiring for the accounting positions? Do they even have an education? I wonder how many checks were put into their own pockets?? "

 Curious wrote on April 18, 2007 8:37 am:
" I’ve read both council candidate questionnaires from the chamber of commerce and although the 2 candidates answered virtually the same they were scored differently. I wonder why the favoritism? "

 George wrote on April 18, 2007 8:44 am:
" Does the Governor not have enought to do that he feels compelled to get involved with Lincoln city politics? "

 Need more proof??? wrote on April 18, 2007 8:45 am:
" Let's see, Ken FINDS the overpayment and sends a check to the city. Chris is told about the overpayment BY the city and then makes a payment. I wonder if Chris new about this overpayment but didn't say anything until the LJS found this out also??? Which candidate is more ethical???? Also, it seems that the past couple of administrations have gotten us into deeper water than we realize - time for a change of leadership styles. "

 PHONEY'S wrote on April 18, 2007 8:54 am:
" So what, was the idea to have Kinsey enter the race and attract Republicans that don’t like Camp away from Abbott? I think it’s funny that the Lancaster Republican party claims to be above the fray but in reality they are just as dirty if not dirtier than the rest. "

 It's sickening wrote on April 18, 2007 9:05 am:
" How many people do WE overpay? How much do WE overpay? It's unreal. And to the commenter beow, how exactly does this prove Beutler is a better choice for mayor? Both candidates got overpaid. One figured it out on his own and sent a check in, and the other did nothing until the media and city figured it out. I concur with none of the above. I just can't figure out how in a city of this size we keep ending up with a lack of top-notch mayoral candidates on either side of the aisle. Unreal. But no, according the current mayor, we don't need an auditor. "

 Lee wrote on April 18, 2007 9:08 am:
" I'm thinking that the estimate of 2 or 3 overpayments out of 100,000 may be a wee bit understated, don't you think? No wonder our taxes are so high! Maybe the qualifications for city workers should be reviewed (or maybe followed?) "

 overpaid prop taxes wrote on April 18, 2007 9:34 am:
" Hey city accountant, I think I sent in too much for my portion of the cities property taxes. I am sure you and your crack staff should be sending me a refund anytime now. keep up the good work. Will see you in a couple months at the local drive through. "

 New Consultant? wrote on April 18, 2007 9:57 am:
" Word on the street is this new consultant hired by Svoboda is here to run a smear campaign against Buetler. Svoboda is behind by a large margin so he is going NEGATIVE. My vote is for Buetler! "

 Sounds weak wrote on April 18, 2007 10:29 am:
" Is this the kind of leadership we can come to expect from Councilperson Svoboda? “I don’t really know the name of the consultant.” Head in the sand leadership sounds more like the current administration and less like a strong Mayor that he is claiming to bring to the table. Which is it? Lead from the front, or pass the buck because I wasn’t made aware of the situation “wink, wink”. I think the Svoboda campaign needs more than a shake up, they need a complete make over. "

 Wow wrote on April 18, 2007 12:05 pm:
" No, I think the Svoboda campaign needs a new candidate, not a new consultant. I just can't believe that the people of Lincoln could elect that guy. "

 John wrote on April 18, 2007 12:44 pm:
" I don't see how LIBA gets tagged as a special interest group while the Lincoln Neighborhood Alliance is an "advocate". If anyone is a special interest group, it's LNA, who fights economic growth at every opportunity for the benefit of the few who want to see Lincoln the same as it was 50 years ago. Also, I hope whoever gets elected makes firing Don Herz his first order of business. If you have $10,000 in public funds paid incorrectly and no one notices, then you shouldn't be in charge of taxpayer accounts. Pointing out reasons that your opponent shouldn't be elected isn't negative, it's all part of the election process. Personally, I want questions about either candidate addressed before the election, not after it's too late. "

 Former Rays Employee wrote on April 18, 2007 12:48 pm:
" Ken didnt find the error that the city overpaid him. The accounting firm the business hires did. As much as Ken would like you to think he runs the business he does not. Larry his brother runs the business. Ken just takes orders. "

 Tight Leash? wrote on April 18, 2007 1:03 pm:
" Has anyone noticed that Mr. Camp has remained quiet during his reelection efforts? I have to say that this is an effective campaign strategy. But surely he is chomping at the bit to have is name back in the paper as the town’s wisest attorney/council person. I would have to think Mr. Camp has a very strong opinion of the overpayment debacle, contract extensions/forgiven poopy mallow late fees. I guess that I’ll have to wait until after May 1st to get my weekly entertainment. "

 consultant wrote on April 18, 2007 1:12 pm:
" Svoboda doesn't know who he hired as a consultant? Is that kinda like the rebublican party did not hire a private detective to follow around Terry Werner? Maybe he hired Glenn Friendt? Oh the moral majority. "

 hattie wrote on April 18, 2007 1:28 pm:
" Looks like Don Herz is on his way out to me. If he was doing his job, the public wouldn't have to find these things, he would. "

 In agreement wrote on April 18, 2007 1:41 pm:
" I agree John, LIBA is a special interest group. "

 Nina wrote on April 18, 2007 1:45 pm:
" No need to put up with incompetent accounting when there are capable people job hunting in that area. "

 Library Aide wrote on April 18, 2007 1:48 pm:
" how come I never seem to get overpaid? I'm a library aide and make 5.55 an hour - would 10 bucks here and there really hurt anybody? I could use a few extra bucks.... "

 B wrote on April 18, 2007 3:04 pm:
" Maybe we should start remembering/enforcing the fact that the Lincoln Mayor is a non-partisan office. I think that would really ease up the negitive campaigning that seems to be coming from both parties. "

 come on wrote on April 18, 2007 3:06 pm:
" I think one needs to look lower down the pole to find out who over paid. Don Herz is the Director not the bill payer. Who paid the bill that the one who needs to be fired. "

 Central Nebraska Observer wrote on April 18, 2007 3:11 pm:
" It is fun, but kinda sad also, to watch this mayoral election unfold. From outside Lincoln, it seems clear that no matter which man you choose to be mayor, there will not be any change in the way Lincoln operates and spends money. It is just not going to happen, especially if Lincoln citizens vote for Buetler. For out-of-town Nebraskans who come to Lincoln or pass through on I-80, it would be nice if the first thing the new mayor does is tear down the ugly and derelict motel on I-80 at the airport. What a mess and awful picture presented by Lincoln to visitors or passers by. "

 John wrote on April 18, 2007 4:38 pm:
" To come on: The person in the finance office who actually wrote the checks to Svoboda and Buetler was probably just following procedures in place at the finance office. Those come from the top. It's the finance director's job to place adequate checks and controls to keep that from happening. So far, he has failed to do so. If the checkwriter made a mistake in overpaying them and not followed proper procedure, then I agree that they should be called out on it. To Central Nebraska Observer: "Non partisian" elections are a fantasy. There may not be D or R next to someone on a ballot, but both parties are and will always be heavily involved. Change can happen with the right person in office. I agree with you, though. Buetler is not that person. "

 Did anyone wrote on April 18, 2007 4:43 pm:
" notice that Swoboda is 3 years late in completing one of his landscape contracts with the city and he had the penalties waived and he complains that the mayor waived penalties on the fire trucks. He has a contract that was to be completed in 2004 and he still isn't completed. Is this the way to run a business? Say you'll do something by a date certain and never complete it? Is he going to do the same as mayor? Promise everything and deliver nothing? "

 business owner wrote on April 18, 2007 4:52 pm:
" come on - responsibility needs to be taken by Don Herz. As a business owner I am at the top of the food chain and everything that happens at my business is ultimately my responsibility. If I overpaid my vendors like that I would be out of business. Why is it we are so irresponsible with our tax dollars on some things and can't find the money to do some of the things that really need financed? Medians that cost more than a lot of people in this town make in a year? Get real. How about something that hold up a little better in our Nebraska weather conditions that doesn't cost so much or require so much maintenance. I've seen several of my competitors come and go in the last few years, yet I am still here. It's because I use some common sense. I guess common sense isn't so common anymore. "

 True special interest groups wrote on April 18, 2007 7:14 pm:
" The true special interest groups are the city union and LNA...while LIBA is helping to create jobs and economic opportunity. Its no coincidence who supports Beutler - its the same old insiders at city hall with the support of unions and other special interest groups. The politics as usual in city hall will NOT change with beutler...in fact he has a lot of favors to pay back after 20+ years in the legislature...it may get worse. "

 TJ wrote on April 18, 2007 10:17 pm:
" Funny how Mr Svoboda caught the error, notified the city and paid it back immediately. On the other hand, Mr Beutler had to be notified by the ciy of 1 to 2 year old overpayments. Credablility goes to Svoboda!! "

 N wrote on April 19, 2007 8:07 am:
" Where to find the budget deficit? The Finance office!! If this had happened anywhere else in the City, believe me that person would be fired, double standards! "

 scotty wrote on April 19, 2007 11:02 am:
" I wish we didn't always have 2 sub par canadates to choose from. reminds me of the last 2 presidental election. "

 nice gig wrote on April 19, 2007 11:33 am:
" The difference is that Mr. Svboda is suppose to be one of the leaders that oversee how the city government runs. In effect he overpaid himself. "

 Agree wrote on April 19, 2007 1:14 pm:
" I couldn't agree more and have often thought about, but never written about the eye-sore at the airport exit. The City has determined all these areas within the city as blighted and maybe rightly so, but consider how many people drive by that dump that used to be a motel compared to how many drive by 48th and O. "

 SRV wrote on April 19, 2007 3:51 pm:
" $20,000 overpayments... forgoing Rays for $100,000 penalties.... forgoing firetruck fines of $1,000,000.... And the city cries it's 6 mil short... Who is giving away the store at city government?????? The mayor?? the city council???? an ex senitor??? All of the above?? Nothing a good audit couldn't find. Oh thats right, we don't have a city auditor right now SURPRISE SURPRISE. Maybe we can overpay talent + to find us a good ole boy one.. Our city leaders are looooosers "

Ads by Yahoo!