Jim McKenzie
NE
Jim McKenzie retired in 2022 after 25 years as Norfolk's city IT manager and earlier ran his own software consulting company for 10 years. His priorities include efficient government, economic growth, affordable housing and open decision-making.
Where Jim McKenzie stands, based on their records
Supports
Government Efficiency (2 records), Public Infrastructure (1 record)
Mixed record
Government Spending Reduction (4 support · 1 oppose)
Track record
Track record — Government Efficiency
Government Efficiency · 2 support
Ran the test demonstrations used to pick Norfolk's new payroll and finance software as city IT manager. The council approved the lowest and top-scoring bid.
August 5, 2013Supports Government Efficiency
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Helped set up online request forms as Norfolk's city information manager. The forms let residents contact the city and track their requests online.
November 10, 2009Supports Government Efficiency
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 4 support · 1 oppose
Spoke in favor of $100,000 in city funding for North Fork Area Transit, saying transit services are important for the community. The council approved it unanimously.
January 16, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Criticized the city for offering about $3.5 million in tax increment financing (TIF) for the Sunset Plaza mall redevelopment. He said he backed fixing the mall but the aid went too far.
December 18, 2023Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Spoke against a proposed city tax on alcohol sales to pay for city projects, telling the council there should be no new taxes.
March 6, 2023Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Objected to the city selling a downtown parking lot worth $268,000 for $1 to the Kensington Hotel developer. He said the developer should pay market value.
March 6, 2023Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Led opposition to a $68 million city sales tax bond as spokesman for Norfolk Citizens for Responsible Government. Voters rejected the bond.
November 8, 2022Supports Government Spending Reduction
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Track record — Public Infrastructure
Public Infrastructure · 1 support
Spoke in favor of $100,000 in city funding for North Fork Area Transit, saying transit services are important for the community. The council approved it unanimously.
January 16, 2024Supports Public Infrastructure
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Track record — General
General · 12 records
Spoke in favor of studying south Norfolk for a blight label to spur investment in an area with little recent growth.
June 2, 2026
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Presented the TIF advisory committee's proposed guidelines to the city council as co-chair. He said the guidelines were advice, not binding rules.
May 18, 2026
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Urged the council to approve a new power agreement with the Nebraska Public Power District but not to raise the city's electricity tax. The council approved the deal.
March 16, 2026
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Urged the city council to keep recording its subcommittee meetings instead of posting only minutes. The council backed ending the recordings.
October 6, 2025
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Was named co-chair of a new 12-member citizens committee the city council approved to write guidelines for tax increment financing (TIF).
March 22, 2025
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Lost the November 2024 race for Norfolk mayor to Shane Clausen, 4,884 votes (47.1%) to 5,460 (52.6%).
November 5, 2024
Source: countyelectionresults.nebraska.gov
Received the endorsement of former Norfolk Mayor Sue Fuchtman in his 2024 race for mayor.
October 21, 2024
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Published a letter urging Norfolk to let the public speak at every city council meeting.
September 6, 2024
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Told the city council that emails and texts from council member Andrew McCarthy were retaliation against citizens. McCarthy denied any wrongdoing.
December 19, 2022
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Raised open meetings law concerns at the start of a city council work session on a sales tax plan. The council voted 6-2 to adjourn without discussing it.
August 8, 2022
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Was elected to the board of directors of the Great American Comedy Festival, a yearly Norfolk event honoring Johnny Carson.
August 9, 2017
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Bought and began restoring Johnny Carson's childhood home in Norfolk to preserve a piece of local history.
April 12, 2014
Source: norfolkdailynews.com
Past race Jim McKenzie ran in:
- City Council Member Ward 2 · November 3, 2026 · Norfolk city, Nebraska