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Omaha holds public hearing on CHI Center bond issuance; city attorney cites IRS rule, council notes voter approval
Summary
The Omaha City Council held a public hearing Thursday to meet IRS public‑notice requirements for a proposed issuance of general obligation bonds to finance CHI Center rehabilitation and expansion.
The Omaha City Council conducted a public hearing Thursday on a resolution to authorize issuance of one or more series of general obligation bonds to finance rehabilitation and expansion of the CHI Center.
Jennifer Taylor of the City Law Department told the council the hearing was properly published and was being conducted to satisfy Internal Revenue Code section 147(f). "This particular hearing has been properly published and noticed in accordance with Internal Revenue Code section 147(f)," Taylor said, adding the hearing gives the public a reasonable opportunity to express views about the proposed bond issuance and related expenditures.
Councilmember Amy Melton emphasized that the proposal follows voter approval: she said the electorate approved a $141,000,000 public facilities issuance in November and that the council previously approved an agreement to contribute $100,000,000 toward the project. Melton described the hearing as part of required federal tax‑exempt bond procedures rather than a separate council authorization of the project.
No proponents or opponents offered substantive testimony during Thursday’s hearing. City Law Department staff and council members said the public comment opportunity provided the record needed to satisfy IRS requirements; no final bond issuance vote was recorded on the meeting transcript.
