You guys, if you are not coming to Rotary on Wednesdays you are missing some fun times and valuable information.  This week we had a very informative presentation from our Mayor, Jean Stothert.    Mayor Stothert is the first woman to be elected to the office of Mayor in Omaha.  Prior to that she served on the Omaha City Council and the Millard Board of Education.  Her priorities are public safety, managing the city budget, job growth and economic development and improving the taxpayer experience. 
 

She spoke to us about her roadmap to better streets initiative.  Her long-term goal is to reduce annual repair costs and make long-term fiscal sense by basically getting from point A to point B safely and efficiently.  Omaha needs an estimated $75 million dollars per year to ensure that the 5,000 lane miles in the city are resurfaced once every 20 years.  However the current annual road repair spending is $41 million, which leaves a gap of $34 million dollars. 

Due to that gap they are only able to resurface 125 of the recommended 250 lane miles each year.  In January 2019 they spent $13.5 million repairing about 67,508 potholes.  In their proposal they could spend that money to resurface as opposed to repairing.  The Capital Improvement plan for Omaha’s budget is for major road projects and cannot include maintenance.  Therefore a gap of $34 million exists for road maintenance.
 

Her presentation included having a transportation Bond Issue presented to voters so the citizens can decide.  Her preferred option is a $200 million dollar Bond that would raise $40 million dollars annually toward rehabilitation projects, which would provide enough to close the $34 million dollar gap.  This would increase property taxes on a $200,000 dollar home by $71.00, on a $100,000 home about $26.00 a year.  She presented all this information and also handed out pamphlets that captured all this information. It is apparent that something needs to happen. If you want to learn more about the road construction projects that are underway or planned you can check KeepOmahaMoving.com.

Code for this week, say to the person sitting by you:  I appreciate you.
 

That’s it for me!  Come see us if you haven’t been around!