NORFOLK, Neb. -- The city of Norfolk held a special city council meeting on Thursday to review the proposed municipal budget for the new fiscal 2023-24 year.  

City Administrator Andy Calvin presented the proposed budget which shows a 12.67% or almost $15,000,000 increase from the current budget.  

The increased budget proposal will increase the city's debt by almost $20,000,000 within the next fiscal year and almost double its debt within two, resulting in one citizen speaking up in opposition.  

"Why are you borrowing so much money, because your previously made decisions have consequences," said Jim McKenzie. 

In defense of the budget Mayor Josh Moenning said that the city administrator's budget demonstration was growth minded and focused, although portrayed as wild spending from feedback.  

"There is a necessity, sometimes, to borrow money to do big investment, big infrastructure investments, to avoid cost inflation, and to put in the investment to create economic opportunities that hopefully come from such investments," said Moenning. 

This meeting was only a public hearing, so no votes were taken on any items from the agenda.