Planning Board, City Council to Mull Annexing 2 SIDs, Nearby Area
The City of Omaha would annex two sanitary and improvement districts and an adjacent area under a package announced Tuesday by Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert.
Stothert’s proposal, her eighth since being elected in 2013, would increase the city’s population and tax base. Stothert, a Republican, faces Democrat RJ Neary in the nonpartisan Omaha city general election next week.
The annexation proposal would annex Whispering Ridge West (SID 549) located southeast of 180th and Maple streets, and North Ridge (SID 560), located northwest of 180th and Pacific Streets. The area near at 156th and Fort streets would also be annexed. All three areas would be in Council Districts 6 and 7.
Based on 2010 census data, the city’s population would grow by about 250 people. Homeowners in the annexed areas could expected to see a property tax decrease of about $237 per $100,000 in assessed valuation. Stothert said that her requirements for annexations are the city’s ability to provide police and fire protection, the elimination of islands that are surrounded by the city and expected revenue positivity for the next 10 years.
“Even a small annexation package has value for our city and citizens,” Stothert said Tuesday in a news release. “Our evaluation shows many SIDs do not meet our annexation goals yet. We will only annex neighborhoods where we can successfully provide city services and generate new revenue for continued growth.”
Last July, Omaha added more than 2,100 people and eight subdivisions in the west and northwest fringes of Omaha via annexation.
The Omaha Fire Department already provides fire protection and emergency medical service to all three proposed areas, according to the city. The areas have a low volume of 911 calls. Omaha Fire Chief Dan Olsen and Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer have approved the package.
Property owners in these areas will receive annexation information in the mail next week. An open house is scheduled for May 18, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Saddlebrook Community Center, 14850 Laurel Ave.
The Omaha Planning Board will consider the package at its June 2 meeting.
The Omaha City Council is expected to hold the first reading on the issue June 15. A public hearing would be June 29, with a final vote on July 13. If passed, the annexation will take effect July 27.
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