RALSTON, Neb. (AP) — The Ralston City Council has raised property taxes and reduced spending in several departments so it can make next year's bond payment on its struggling arena.
The council voted Tuesday to hike property taxes 4.3 percent and cut nearly $235,000 from the operating budgets for public safety, streets and other departments. Mayor Don Groesser says no significant changes in city services are expected.
More votes are scheduled on plans to impose a 2.5 percent restaurant tax.
Groesser says all the actions are necessary to amass money for the $3.5 million arena bond payment. The arena has failed to meet early revenue projections, but arena manager Stan Benis has said he hopes to break even by next year.
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