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Sarpy County mayors express doubts about new O-Royals ballpark

A group of Sarpy County mayors wants to see more details about funding for a new Omaha Royals ballpark.
A group of Sarpy County mayors wants to see more details about funding for a new Omaha Royals ballpark and is expressing doubts about tax-increment financing generating enough revenue to pay for the new $23-million project.

The mayors of Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Gretna and Springfield argue property taxes would be needed to back the project should tax-increment financing not be enough. In a letter to Joni Jones, the chairman of the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners, they argue the county is overstepping its bounds by getting into the ballpark game.

Of course, much of the concern is fueled by the uncertainty surround the tax-increment financing; there are four proposals before the Nebraska Legislature that would address ballpark funding, three involving tax-increment financing of some sort. Until the Uni acts on these bills — and a hearing is scheduled for later this week — Sarpy County can’t talk specifics or projections.

Later today a public hearing is scheduled to give the public a chance to address the issue. Look for lots of concern about property taxes potentially being used to pay for the ballpark if tax-increment financing comes up short.

RELATED STORIES: Details of O-Royals/Sarpy County lease revealed; Agreement reached on new O-Royals ballpark; O-Royals, Sarpy County on verge of signing ballpark deal

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