Mayor John Ewing, Jr. presented the 2027 budget at the June 21, 2026 Omaha City Council Meeting. The $600 million budget focuses on:
Parks – $10 million in additional spending, including $5 million in philanthropic donations
Police – Increasing the number off officer, 35 new vehicles, $10 million for IT
Fire – 9 additional firefighters
Library – 7 additional grant supported staff and an increase of 8% to collections budget reducing waitlist days for an average of 35 to 20 days
Planning – new hires to revamp zoning and subdivision codes
Human Relations – increases to small business support and implementation of the poverty elimination plan
Public Works – 6 new position, 3 new garages downtown
Capital Improvements – bonding for joint police fire administrative headquarters built at the Crossroads Mall site, reorganizing police and fire downtown, bonding for Tranquility Park expansion
Revenue – sales and use taxes trending higher, property tax rate not increased (only 1/5 of City revenue comes from property taxes), Building up cash reserves to $77.6 million
A hearing on the budget will take place on August 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Legislative Chambers at 1819 Farnam. A final vote on the budget is scheduled for August 26 at the 2:00 pm. Omaha City Council meeting.
