Lincoln voters approved a $13.9 million city stormwater bond issue Tuesday that will be used for more than 20 projects to reduce flood risks and improve water quality in Lincoln’s streams, lakes and creeks.
The bond issue passed 56% to 44%, making it the 16th stormwater bond issue approved by Lincoln voters over the past 47 years.
The bond issue is projected to cost the owner of a $281,000 home $9.65 a year, or 80 cents a month, beginning in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Of the 15 previous bond issues, the remaining bond debt is $21.9 million.
Stormwater bonds are the only city revenue source that pays for such projects, along with funding from the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District and sometimes federal funds.
The money will be used for $3.6 million in flood reduction and floodplain preservation projects, $3.6 million for stream and channel stabilization, $1 million for street sweepers required to meet federal water quality standards, and $5.7 million for work on underground drainage pipes and urban drainage studies.
The stormwater improvements include the railroad underpass at 48th Street and Cornhusker Highway and finishing the Dead Man’s Run project, a major flood-reduction effort that will take about 480 houses and businesses out of the floodplain, eliminating the requirement for flood insurance.
Photos: 2024 Election Day in Lincoln
Daily Nebraskan photographers Emma DeShon (left) and Izzy Lewis send photos to their news desk during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left), Liz Ring Carlson, Lancaster County Commissioner Christa Yoakum and her husband John Yoakum, a member of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District board, chat during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the Delray 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln City Council member Justin Carlson (from left) and Liz Ring Carlson speak with Lancaster County Board Commissioner Christa Yoakum during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at the DelRay 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Joanna Davis-Yoakum wears earrings encouraging people to vote during a Democratic watch party on Tuesday at DelRay 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Members of the Lancaster Democratic Party congregate during an election night watch party Tuesday at DelRay 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Chelsea Richardson (center right) points to a board projecting election results to Kyle Carson (right) both of Lincoln, at a Dan Osborn watch party at Embassy Suites in La Vista on Tuesday.
LIZ RYMAREV, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Incumbent state Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln (center) talks with her mother Debbie Curry of Columbus (right) at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward (left) talks with incumbent Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln at a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
District 27 legislative candidate Dawn Liphardt of Lincoln attends a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Republicans, including Auditor Mike Foley, attend a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Susanne Shore looks on her husband, U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris are set up at a Democrat watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Benita Casas wears a cat mascot head while enjoying a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Democratic Party members congregate around a photo area with cardboard cutouts of Tim Walz and Kamala Harris during an election night watch party Tuesday Delray 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Michael Marcheck poses for a portrait in front of a photo area during a Democrat election night watch party Tuesday at Delray 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Chris McCoy (left) and Laura Heine chat during a Democrat election night watch party on Tuesday at Delray 817.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Rep. Adrian Smith speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday. She won her bid for a third term.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Rep. Don Bacon talks to supporters during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn speaks to University of Nebraska-Lincoln students at the UNL City Union on Tuesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
University of Nebraska-Lincoln political science sophomore Leo Sabbini gets ready to make a phone call next to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood at U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (from left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer as volunteers make calls at a phone bank drive at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
First District Rep. Mike Flood and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talk with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts (left) talks with Sen. Deb Fischer at Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. The two stopped by to talk with volunteers on Election Day as they made calls to voters.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts talks with supporters at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Election Day in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer talks with supporters at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. Volunteers were making phone calls to voters on Election Day.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood carry pizzas for volunteers making phone calls at Deb Fischer's campaign office in Lincoln on Election Day.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (left) and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood talk with volunteers at Deb Fischer's campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Voting stickers are available on a table to voters at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln on Tuesday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Chris McCollister (left) votes along with others Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lake Schulke casts her vote on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Katie Goeling (right) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Katie Goeling (left) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Katie Goeling (center) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Election official Bob Snider works during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Toussaint Barrett votes Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
People line up to vote Tuesday at F Street Community Center in central Lincoln.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a Republican election night watch party at the Beardmore Event Center in Bellevue on Tuesday.
CHRIS MACHIAN, OMAHA WORLD-HERALD
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