Council to vote on cancer center measures Tuesday

The Omaha City Council will vote Tuesday on measures that ultimately would provide $35 million to help construct the $370 million Cancer Center Campus at the medical center.

An occupational tax on Omaha’s tobacco vendors could help generate $35 million for the UNMC Cancer Center Campus.

Five City Council members — President Thomas Mulligan, Chris Jerram, Peter Festersen, Ben Gray and Garry Gernandt — proposed the two ordinances. Mayor Jim Suttle has expressed his support for the measures.

One ordinance would provide $3.5 million for each of the next 10 years to the project. The other ordinance would raise the money necessary by implementing a 4.5 percent occupation tax on retailers who sell tobacco products.

Supporters of the ordinances note that the cancer center will allow patients to receive the best care close to home as well as act as an economic driver for the city, state and region.

Employees who wish to ask city council members to support the project must do so on their own time and not use university resources (computers, telephones, letterhead or university accounts) to do so.

See how to contact members of the city council.