Omaha City Council approves cancer center ordinances

The Omaha City Council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to approve two ordinances that ultimately will 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.

The city council members who voted for the ordinances were President Thomas Mulligan, Chris Jerram, Peter Festersen, Ben Gray and Garry Gernandt. One of the ordinances will provide $3.5 million for each of the next 10 years to the project and the other ordinance will raise the money necessary by the implementation of a 3 percent occupation tax on retailers who sell tobacco products.

“The council members who supported these measures showed great foresight and demonstrated their commitment to the city’s well-being,” said Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.

Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs, also praised the council members for their support.

“This is a project that will save lives, create thousands of jobs and bolster Omaha’s reputation as a city on the move with the citizens’ best interests in mind,” Bartee said.

Employees who wish to thank city council members for their support of 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.