Omaha-2 Public Facilities Bonds

The Wording

Special City Of Omaha Election

$146,000,000 Public Facilities Bonds

Shall the City of Omaha be authorized to issue and sell general obligation bonds in the amount of one hundred forty-six million and no/100 dollars ($146,000,000) for the purpose of providing funds for payment of the cost of acquiring, constructing, improving, equipping and rehabilitating police buildings and facilities, fire stations, branch libraries, park maintenance facilities, auditorium support facilities, arena and convention center facilities, public works storage facilities and city wide building renovations and replacements and other public facilities of the City of Omaha, the approximate cost to the taxpayers of the City of Omaha if this proposal is approved to be one hundred forty-six million and no/100 dollars ($146,000,000) plus interest payable on said bonds to be paid from the fund for principal and interest payments on the indebtedness of the City of Omaha as proposed in the notice of election which also provides that the approval of this bond issue will not incur any increases in the debt services tax levy rate of the City of Omaha over the levy increase approved in 2020?

(  )  Yes

(  )  No

Our Explanation

Public Facilities Bonds

The City of Omaha is requesting voters to authorize them to borrow $146 million, through selling bonds, for "Downtown police precinct, downtown fire station, renovation/expansion of the CHI Center Arena and Convention Center, and a new Omaha Police outdoor gun range (to replace existing Elkhorn location)." 
 
One consideration is the cost to taxpayers. As with all the bond issues on this ballot, the only increase in tax results from increased property value, not from a levy increase.  Omaha property owners are paying more money in property tax, even though they will not pay a higher percentage. Though this initiative itself does not change the amount homeowners are paying, voters may consider whether they are satisfied with this use of the higher amount already being paid through property taxes.
 
A second consideration is whether the City should go into debt for this project. Buying bonds allows the city to stabilize the budget by paying over time, usually 20 years, just as a mortgage would. On the other hand, this method of funding costs more due to interest.
 
- A vote FOR this initiative allows the City to fund these projects through bond debt in the amount of $146 million.
- A vote AGAINST this initiative requires the City to fund these projects through other means.