Council to amend ordinance for $150,000 hotel‑motel–funded purchase of former bank property for tourism use

Lincoln City officials will ask the council to amend a previously approved ordinance to specify the purchase price of a former bank property at $150,000 and to authorize the use of hotel‑motel tax funds to pay for the acquisition in two payments across fiscal years.

City legal counsel explained that past city purchases were often nominal and contained the purchase price in the ordinance text, so the council needs an amendment to the earlier bank‑property ordinance to reflect the actual purchase cost and to authorize dispensation of the funds. “The cost purchase of the building is a $150,000,” a council speaker said during the discussion.

City officials told the council the property will be used exclusively for tourism initiatives to support a newly approved tourism department and related economic‑development activities. Officials said some agreements related to the future use of the property remain in negotiation and cannot be disclosed at this time. The mayor clarified that City Hall will remain in its current location and the purchase is intended to support tourism programs rather than relocate city operations.

The item was added to the regular agenda for formal consideration and amendment of the previously adopted ordinance.