Buffalo County calls $72 million bond question for new law enforcement facility

The Buffalo County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved Resolution 2025-42 calling a special election on Sept. 9, 2025 to ask voters whether the county should issue up to $72,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance construction, equipping and furnishing of a new law enforcement facility, including related site, parking and infrastructure improvements. Commissioner Timothy Higgins read the resolution into the record before the board voted 6–1 in favor; Commissioner Ronald Loeffelholz cast the lone dissent.

The proposition presented to voters states in part: “Shall The County of Buffalo, Nebraska issue its negotiable bonds in a principal amount of not to exceed SEVENTY-TWO MILLION DOLLARS ($72,000,000) … and shall the County cause to be levied and collected annually a special tax … which special tax shall be in addition to all other taxes … and may exceed the County’s constitutional and statutory limitations on levying more than 50 cents per $100 of taxable valuation?” The resolution directs the County Clerk to certify the measure to the Buffalo County Election Commissioner by July 18, 2025 and authorizes the Clerk and Board Chair to take other actions necessary to place the question before voters.

According to the resolution, the bonds would be issued under Neb. Rev. Stat. §§23-120 et seq. and may be structured in one or more series. The board record notes the proposed facility would initially be intended for joint use by city and county law enforcement, continuing a cooperation the record says has existed since 1993 in a City-owned facility. The resolution also authorizes the County to reimburse the Election Commissioner for election expenses and permits, at the Election Commissioner’s discretion, conducting the election by mail.

At the same meeting the board also approved Resolution 2025-43 to retain Kutak Rock LLP as bond counsel to assist with preparation for the election and any bond issuance. The clerk’s office will publish and distribute notices as required by statute.

What happens next: the County Clerk must certify the resolution to the Election Commissioner by July 18, 2025. If voters approve the proposition on Sept. 9, the board would proceed with bond issuance steps described in the resolution; if voters reject it, the county would not levy the special tax described in the measure.