Voters give green light to renewal of Lincoln on the Move sales tax

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lincoln voters have approved an extension of a quarter-cent sales tax for street improvements.

As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, two-thirds of the ballots counted were in favor of renewal.

There were more than 24,000 votes for the tax and only about 12,000 against.

SEE ALSO: Full election results

Lincoln Transportation and Utilites Director Liz Elliott issued a statement thanking voters.

“This approval reflects our community’s shared priority in investing in our city’s streets,” she said. “We are ready to continue improving Lincoln streets and delivering on the promises made.”

The tax funds the Lincoln on the Move program and has raised about $18 million a year since its inception in 2019.

It will now be in place through September 2033.

The city said the tax will help complete more than 60 projects over the next eight years.

SEE ALSO: Man files complaints questioning legality of city’s Lincoln on the Move ads

“As somebody who drives and bikes on the roads around Lincoln, it does seem like they could probably use some continuing money to keep them in good shape,” one voter, Pierce Ekstrom, told Channel 8.

On the other hand, some voters questioned the need for more money.

“I feel like the roads are so tore up right now that giving them any more money just seems pointless and unnecessary,” Clint Curry said.

One Lincolnite supported the initiative but questioned the city’s methods.

“It seems like they do the same roads over and over again,” Amanda Hefner said. “It’d be nice if they kind of spread it out a little bit more.”