Council votes to send quarter-cent sales tax renewal to voters; approves related impact-fee freeze and interlocal for railroad project

The Lincoln City Council on Feb. 3 voted unanimously to send a proposed ballot question to voters asking to continue a quarter-cent local sales tax for eight years to fund street rehabilitation, reconstruction and improvements across the city.

Councilmember Weber, who introduced the item, said the program is critical to maintaining streets and public safety. "Without continuing this program, the city faces losing $18,000,000 in annual funding when it comes to road investment," Weber said on the record when explaining his vote to send the measure to the ballot.

The council also approved two related resolutions: a resolution introduced by Councilmember Bowers that would freeze impact-fee increases tied to inflation for eight years if the quarter-cent sales tax is renewed, and an interlocal agreement with the Railroad Transportation Safety District that would allocate not less than 1.5% of the continued quarter-cent sales tax, if approved by voters, for engineering and construction services related to the 30th Street improvement project. Both measures passed, 7-0.

Council discussion emphasized the role the tax has played in preserving and improving streets across existing and growing areas of Lincoln and its benefits for public safety and economic growth. The ballot question will appear on the April ballot for voter decision.