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Mayor Ewing unveils $1.7 billion 2027 budget with $10 million parks pledge and public safety investments
Summary
Mayor Jean Stothert Ewing presented a 2027 recommended budget that holds the city property tax levy flat while increasing the general fund by 6.7%, proposes a combined $10 million parks investment with philanthropic matching, and funds new police and fire positions and a proposed $181 million public safety headquarters.
Mayor Ewing presented the City of Omaha's recommended 2027 budget in a statement to the council, saying the plan keeps the property tax levy flat while increasing general fund spending by 6.7% and proposing roughly $1.7 billion in total spending.
"For the city of Omaha, a city of nearly 500,000 people, we continue to deliver essential city services while investing in the future," Ewing said during the presentation, outlining a 479-page budget book titled The Story of Us, One Omaha.
The mayor highlighted a $10 million combined parks investment in 2027'1: the city will put $5 million into parks maintenance and philanthropic partners have pledged another $5 million contingent on the city match. He said the money will fund repairs, new equipment and 14 full-time-equivalent parks positions, including two management roles.
Ewing also prioritized public safety, saying Omaha would invest to reach an authorized police staffing level of 906 sworn officers (from 835 currently), purchase 35 new patrol vehicles at about $70,000 each and dedicate roughly $10 million to IT infrastructure. He said the budget adds nine firefighters to the authorized strength of the fire department.
The mayor described a proposed $181 million public safety headquarters at the Crossroads Development to replace aging facilities, noting the council would need to approve bonding authority before the project moves forward. He framed the capital improvements as part of a six-year CIP that begins in 2027.
Ewing said the budget relies primarily on sales and use tax, with property taxes accounting for a small portion of the general fund, and that the city is building cash reserves projected at about $77.6 million. He closed by announcing a public hearing on Aug. 11 and a council vote planned for Aug. 26; the budget would take effect Jan. 1.
Why it matters: The recommended budget increases operating and capital spending for parks, public safety, libraries and planning while preserving the current property tax levy. The council's public hearing and subsequent vote will determine final appropriation and any adjustments.
The council received the presentation and scheduled the public hearing; no final appropriation or vote on the adopted budget occurred at this meeting.
