2012 Media Releases

Date:

October 26, 2012

For More Information Contact:

Ben Higgins, Public Works and Utilities, 402-441-7589

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Mayor Presents Facts on Storm Drainage Bond Issue

Voters to decide issue Nov. 6

Mayor Chris Buetler today discussed the City's storm drainage system and encouraged voters to become educated on the issue prior to voting on the $7.9 million stormwater bond issue. The bond issue was placed on the November 6 general election ballot by the City Council. At current interest rates, the bond issue would cost the owner of a $150,000 home about $5.40 per year.

If approved, the bond issue would provide funds to help protect property from stormwater runoff and flood damage when major rains occur, to improve water quality and to prevent or repair failing stream banks. The projects are identified in the City's Storm Drainage Capital Improvement Program and are on a current priority list of storm drainage needs. The projects are expected to be constructed over the next two to three years.

Passage of the bond issue would provide funds for 11 specific storm drainage, stream stability and water quality project areas.

• Roper Park - channel rehabilitation
• 11th and Harrison area - replacement of structurally insufficient and undersized storm drainage infrastructure to prevent failure and to reduce flooding impacts
• 8th and Park area - replacement of structurally insufficient and undersized storm drainage infrastructure to prevent failure and to reduce flooding impacts
• "J" and "L," 53rd to 55th area - rehabilitation of existing undersized drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 56th and Colfax area - rehabilitation of existing undersized drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 58th and Wilshire area - rehabilitation of existing undersized drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 49th and Rentworth - rehabilitation and extension of existing undersized drainage system to reduce flooding impacts
• 56th and Morton area - Stream improvement project to reduce flooding impacts
• 7th and Old Cheney area - Culvert improvements to reduce localized flooding impacts
• Miscellaneous repairs - rehabilitation of miscellaneous minor urban drainage systems
• Antelope Park - water quality improvement projects in the Antelope Park creek and adjacent areas

Passage of the bond issue also would provide funds for:

• Preliminary engineering and projects for master planned basins to include flood management, stream stability and water quality projects
• Engineering and projects for floodplain and floodprone areas
• Projects incorporating best management practices for water quality

Lincoln voters have approved all eight storm drainage bond issues on the ballot since 1990:

• 1991 - $5.58 million
• 1995 - $4.00 million
• 1997 - $8.25 million
• 2001 - $7.50 million
• 2003 - $10.0 million
• 2005 - $9.95 million
• 2007 - $8.30 million
• 2010 - $8.20 million