Omaha Budget Proposal Sparks Community Engagement and Debate
Residents of Omaha gathered at City Hall on Tuesday evening to voice their opinions on the proposed city budget for 2027. The budget, which has been a subject of extensive community discussion, stands to impact various public services and initiatives.
Among the prominent topics was the proposed allocation of $3.6 million to the Community Service Fund, benefiting over 40 community programs. Jason Feldhaus, executive director of Threshold CoC, expressed strong support, stating, “From food pantries to youth services, all the way to those that are actually serving our homeless population is an amazing show of the generosity of the city, generosity of the mayor, their staff, and hopefully the city council.”
In contrast, some residents urged for a reduction in the city’s tax levy, the expansion of public transportation, and enhanced biking infrastructure. Criticism was also directed at the proposed increase in the Omaha Police Department budget.
The budget, drafted by the mayor’s office, amounts to $1.7 billion, with a general fund of approximately $600 million. It outlines a $38.2 million rise in city operations spending compared to the 2026 budget, spurred by a $22 million boost in sales tax revenue.
Mayor John Ewing, in his presentation last month, emphasized, “For the second year of my term, we are presenting a budget that keeps the property tax levy flat, while going big on parks, and boosting police and fire.” A key focus remains maintaining full police staffing by 2027, a goal shared with the previous administration.
Police department staffing is set to increase, with sworn officers receiving a 6.4% wage hike, aligned with an agreement to ensure Omaha’s officers earn 5% more than those in any other Nebraska law enforcement agency. The current staffing level of 835 is expected to grow to 906 by 2027.
Additionally, nine new firefighter positions are proposed for the Omaha Fire Department to alleviate workforce strain. Voters will also decide on two significant bond issues in November: a $155 million bond for a new police and fire headquarters and a $30 million bond for the Tranquility sports complex completion.
The planned 275,000-square-foot headquarters will occupy a 3.2-acre area between Cass and Chicago streets near 74th Avenue and will accommodate over 300 public safety professionals. If the bonds are approved, design work will proceed into late 2027, with construction slated for January 2028 and completion expected by spring 2030.
Investment in parks is another key proposal, with the city matching a $5 million donation from local philanthropists. The 20% increase in general fund spending from 2026 aims to support 14 new full-time positions and fund maintenance projects. However, a consultant report indicated that Omaha’s park spending per capita and per acre is lower compared to cities like Kansas City and Cincinnati, with staffing shortages affecting program availability.
The city council is scheduled to vote on the finalization of the budget on August 25.
