Mayor Ewing presents recommended 2026 budget calling for flat tax levy and $561.5 million general fund

Mayor John W. Ewing Jr. presented the City of Omaha’s recommended 2026 budget and six-year capital improvement program, proposing a flat tax levy while increasing the general fund 5.6% to a proposed $561,500,000. "We propose to keep the tax levy flat as the general fund increases 5.6% to a proposed $561,500,000," Ewing said as he outlined personnel and equipment costs driving the increase.

The mayor told the City Council the spending rise is driven principally by personnel and equipment, citing staff for the new Central Library and additional police recruitment and equipment as primary items. He said the city is funding 27 new positions for the Central Library, which he said will employ 63 people at the new 96,000-square-foot building at 70 Second and Dodge. The mayor said the library project has roughly $158,000,000 in total cost and that the city contributed $20,000,000, with private philanthropy and other partners contributing the balance.

Ewing highlighted public safety investments that he said will account…