$236 million in tax bonds could appear on Omaha’s general election ballot

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The Omaha City Council is set to consider a series of bond issues that, if approved, will appear on the November general election ballot. Several are on Tuesday’s agenda as first reading, so the public hearing will be July 23.

All of the bonds will fund projects included in the city’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and will not raise the property tax levy, according to Mayor Jean Stothert.

“Public safety, street and infrastructure improvements and accessible parks and amenities are especially important to our citizens,” Stothert said in a press release Monday. “These bonds will allow the city to provide a high level of service to our citizens and respond to the needs of our growing city without a levy increase.

Around $146 million will be earmarked for the “public facilities” category of the CIP, which will pay for improvements to the police precinct and fire station in downtown Omaha, expansion and renovation of the CHI Health Center, and a new outdoor gun range for the Omaha Police Department to replace the existing one in Elkhorn.

Bonds totaling nearly $81 million fall under the “transportation” category. Any large road projects paid for with federal funds must be matched locally, for which Omaha uses tax bonds.

There are several transportation projects on the docket if the bonds are approved, including the replacement of the Saddle Creek Road-Dodge Street bridge, as well as improvements to the L Street viaduct at 38th Street.

A final bond of $10 million to go toward paying for new police and fire equipment will be up for vote as well.

For several of these projects, there will be a public hearing included at Tuesday’s Omaha City Council meeting. If the council votes to approve the bond issues, then voters in Omaha will decide if they pass in November.

Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.