City Of Omaha: May Ballot Includes Bond Proposals

Press release from the City of Omaha:

February 22, 2022

Omaha voters will consider a series of ballot questions in May to authorize the City of Omaha to issue bonds to pay for important capital improvement projects.

The bond proposals will not raise taxes.

The City funds the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) with General Obligation Bonds. The CIP outlines the city's long-term capital investments in transportation, public safety, public facilities, parks, and environmental improvements.

Projects in the 2022-2027 CIP, approved by the City Council last year, include major street widening projects, bridge replacement and repair, the new southwest library, a new northwest Omaha fire station, improvements at parks, pools and trails, and equipment for the Omaha fire department.

The ballot includes authorization to issue bonds through 2030 for:

Street and Highway Projects $79.6 million

Environmental Bonds $24.1 million

Public Facilities Bonds $15.1 million

Parks and Recreation Bonds $15.4 million

Public Safety Bonds $6.1 million

"Voters traditionally support bond proposals that allow us to continue our investments in the city's infrastructure, facilities, and equipment necessary to provide services to our taxpayers," said Mayor Jean Stothert.

The ballot will also include Street Preservation Bonds, first approved by voters in 2020 to create a $200 million street repair and maintenance program. By the end of 2022, approximately $120 million will be spent on street repair projects, generally concrete replacement and asphalt resurfacing. This ballot item will authorize an additional $120 million for the street preservation program through 2030.

"The results of our street preservation program can be seen all over the city. Extending this program will continue the commitment we made to voters to repair our roads and create a long-term maintenance program," said Mayor Stothert.

The City Council approved the bond questions, which will be on the May 10 primary ballot.

This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author’s own.