Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor Ewing unveils $2027 budget that holds levy flat, boosts parks and public safety
Summary
Mayor Ewing presented the City of Omaha's proposed 2027 budget, describing a roughly $600 million general fund (6.7% increase) and a full budget near $1.7 billion while holding the property tax levy flat; he highlighted a combined $10 million parks investment, steps to reach full police staffing, new firefighters and a proposed $181 million public safety headquarters.
Mayor Jean Stothert Ewing presented the City of Omaha's recommended 2027 budget to the City Council, calling the 479-page plan "The Story of Us, 1 Omaha" and saying the proposal holds the property tax levy flat while making targeted investments across parks, public safety and libraries.
"Budgets tell a story," Ewing said as she laid out 10 budget "chapters." She said the general fund operating budget would grow about 6.7% to roughly $600,000,000 while the overall budget including capital would be about $1,700,000,000.
The mayor emphasized a $10 million parks boost composed of a $5 million philanthropic pledge and a $5 million municipal match targeted to maintenance and capital projects. "We are putting $5,000,000 more into our parks," she said, noting the funding will support 14 new full-time equivalent positions and repairs and equipment at parks and pools across Omaha.
On public safety, Ewing said the city will continue to invest to reach full authorized police staffing and add firefighters. She called for investment in vehicles and technology, noting plans for about 35 new police vehicles at roughly $70,000 each and about $10,000,000 for IT infrastructure. The proposed capital program includes a new public safety headquarters estimated at $181,000,000; the mayor said bonding authority would be sought in November 2026 with a potential spring 2030 opening.
Other highlights included increased library staffing and a collections budget intended to reduce average wait time for materials from roughly 35 days to about 20 days, $850,000 to the planning department for a zoning-code rewrite consultant, and continued emphasis on affordable-housing tools and TIF-supported projects.
Ewing closed by laying out the next steps: a public hearing on Aug. 11 and a council vote on Aug. 26, with an effective date of Jan. 1 for the new budget if adopted.
Why it matters: The proposal keeps property taxes steady while increasing spending on visible services and capital projects, signaling choices the council will weigh during the August public process.
