Omaha holds hearing on 3‑year interlocal with Nebraska State Patrol for city impound lot; residents raise security and cost concerns

The Omaha City Council opened a public hearing Thursday on an interlocal agreement that would permit the Nebraska State Patrol to use the City of Omaha vehicle impound lot for a three‑year period.

Captain Jennifer Russell of the Omaha Police Department appeared as a proponent and said she was available to answer council questions. Opponents urged additional oversight and compensation: Luis Jimenez of Dewey Avenue told the council he opposed the arrangement "because it doesn't supplement the operations of the state patrol using the property" and asked for enhanced security, personnel and cameras at the lot.

Councilmember Hugg asked whether the State Patrol would use the same tow contract list as the city; city staff answered no — the State Patrol uses its own tow contracts and manages pricing in its bids. City staff said Omaha would manage entries into the lot, determine origin and pay tow companies based on who ordered the tow. Staff said tow contractors used by the State Patrol must follow the impound lot rules and may be suspended from using the lot if they violate city requirements.

Speakers also noted overlapping private tow companies may appear on both lists but that the city enforces compliance at the lot. The transcript records public concern about whether the State Patrol would provide funding or security enhancements; no agreement language on cost supplementation was read into the public record during the hearing and no final vote appears in the meeting transcript.