Council hears overview of Bellevue’s proposed $197 million 2026 budget; public hearing set for Sept. 23
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Summary
City staff presented a high-level overview of the proposed 2026 budget, a balanced $197,094,631 plan that relies heavily on bond and lease proceeds and includes major capital projects such as Bellevue Bay Waterpark. A public hearing and third reading on the annual appropriations ordinance is scheduled for Sept. 23.
Jason (staff member) presented a high-level overview of the City of Bellevue’s proposed 2026 budget during the Sept. 16 council meeting, describing a balanced, citywide spending plan of $197,094,631 and opening the public hearing on Ordinance No. 4192, the annual appropriations bill.
Jason told the council the city’s certified property valuation is $6,468,288,999, a 6.1% increase year-over-year, and that Bellevue’s property tax request for 2026 is $39,456,562 based on a 61¢ levy rate. He said a new Nebraska state statute requires municipalities to disclose the portion of property taxes that fund public safety services, and staff included that information in the presentation.
On revenue sources, Jason said bond and lease proceeds will make up roughly 40%–42% of all inflows, followed by property and sales taxes and various fees and permits. He described the proposed expenditure breakdown and identified major capital priorities: Bellevue Bay Waterpark construction, nearly $16 million in infrastructure improvements, about $19 million in continued street improvements and over $10 million in wastewater/sanitation work.
"We are proposing a balanced budget this year of $197,094,631," Jason said. He told the council the city’s cash reserves remain healthy and that S&P Global has maintained Bellevue’s AA+ long-term rating on recent bond issues.
Councilman Nelson Preister asked whether the fund numbers were likely to change before final adoption; Jason replied the budget is largely set and only minor adjustments are expected before the Sept. 23 special meeting. Jason said the city will post the full budget documents online and invited follow-up questions.
The public hearing on Ordinance No. 4192 was opened at the meeting; no members of the public spoke. The council closed the hearing and set the ordinance’s third reading for Sept. 23 at 5 p.m., with a related levy vote to be taken at a special meeting on Sept. 23 at 5 p.m.
Council members and staff discussed next steps: the mobility of capital projects depends on design schedules, grant eligibility and bond proceeds. Jason encouraged anyone with questions to contact the finance office.
