A series of bond issues will be on the November general election ballot if approved by the Omaha City Council at its meeting July 30th. The general obligation bonds will not raise the city’s property tax levy, according to a press release from the mayor’s office.
The bonds will pay for projects listed in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in six categories: public safety; public facilities; transportation; street preservation; parks and recreation; and sewer.
Transportation bonds will total $80.9 million and include large road projects that are paid with federal funds but require a local match. The city uses bonds to pay the match.
Examples of transportation projects to be paid with future bonds include: Fort Street improvements west of 120th Street; L Street viaduct at 38th Street; Saddle Creek & Dodge Street bridge replacement; Enterprise Park Roadway near 11th & Locust; and 180th Street widening between Harney and Arbor streets.
Public facilities bonds will total $146 million and would include: Downtown police and fire facilities; renovation/expansion of the CHI Health Center Omaha convention center area; and a new police outdoor gun range to replace the existing one in Elkhorn.
Public safety bonds will total $10 million and would include money to pay for police and fire department equipment and vehicles.
Street preservation bonds will total $72 million and would be used to continue the accelerated street repair and maintenance program authorized by voters in 2020. Those bonds pay for a variety of construction and reconstruction projects.
Environmental, or sewer, bonds of $14.5 million pay for projects including neighborhood storm sewers and drainage, Missouri River flood control system and channel stabilization.
Finally, parks and recreation bonds of $10 million will be used to purchase land for a public purpose, build new facilities, including community centers, sports fields and courts, playgrounds and splash pads, future trail connections and rehabilitation of major facilities.
If the city council approves the bonds, the city will have authority to issue bonds through 2032. The first reading before the city council took place earlier this week.
Photo credit: Greater Omaha Chamber
