After years of focusing on making our community open for business and enhancing our quality of life, we can today point to numbers that illustrate positive results. By several measures, the state of our city is strong and Norfolk’s brand is an attractive one.
Since 2018, our population has grown by 1400 people and nearly $665 million of business, industry, and construction investment has flowed into Norfolk. Since 2016, more than 1100 new housing units have been built.
Most importantly, our community has made visible strides in becoming a hospitable, safe, vibrant, fun, and beautiful place to live. People across the state and nation are taking note. Norfolk was awarded “Community of the Year” in August by the Nebraska Diplomats, the state’s largest economic development organization. In May, Norfolk won runner-up in the international Strongest Town contest. Just last month, our quality of life improvements - restoration of the North Fork, Johnson Park, and downtown revitalization - were featured on the front page of the Sunday Omaha World Herald.
Even with such growth and recognition, challenges remain. Like everywhere, everyday living costs are still high and placing strains on family budgets. Wages have not wholly kept pace with inflation. Truly affordable housing remains elusive. Community development that benefits everyone is unending work.
This year’s budget reflects the city council’s mindfulness of the current uncertain economic environment. The city’s property tax levy was lowered by more than 2 cents. Administrative and discretionary spending was held in check, and city cash reserves, which have been intentionally built up in recent years, were made available for essential needs. Relying less and less on property taxes for revenue has been an ongoing priority. Of the property taxes a Norfolkan pays, only about 15 percent goes to the city, and Norfolk continues to maintain one of the lowest property tax levies amongst cities in the state.
Healthy sales tax receipts make lower property taxes possible. Promoting economic growth and welcoming new business investment have helped boost sales tax revenues to record levels in recent years. As a regional hub of commerce, employment, and entertainment, Norfolk attracts visitors and commuters who contribute significantly to our sales tax base. The formula is not complicated. Business activity increases, elevated sales tax receipts help pay for better public services, and city government’s dependence on property tax lessens. A critical part of the equation is ensuring Norfolk remains an active and thriving marketplace.
After a majority of voters two years ago rejected a new sales tax tied to a bundle of community improvement projects, the city adjusted course. A variety of community surveys were conducted, and a volunteer citizens’ committee was formed to explore ways to address the top two priorities – police station expansion and street repairs. Voters will soon decide on a new proposal focused solely on the police station, with any residual funds dedicated to additional street repairs.
In the meantime, we carried forward Parks and quality of life projects, such as the riverfront, Johnson Park, Liberty Bell, Warren Cook, Ta-Ha-Zouka improvements and others, utilizing grants, partnerships, and donations. By doing so we’ve built one of the most exceptional, unique quality-of-life ecosystems in the state of Nebraska. We restored the natural resource that gave our community its name in the first place, the North Fork, returning it to its rightful place of harboring community pride and identity. It’s been gratifying to see so many people of all ages and backgrounds enjoying this revitalized space already. The river trail itself has attracted more than 21,000 users since its opening in June.
This year’s budget also prioritizes major infrastructure upgrades, particularly within water and wastewater systems, that will better serve citizens and accommodate new industry and enterprise. These investments will help Norfolk grow and target emerging economic opportunities of comparative advantage in areas like value-added agriculture, water quality and conservation, and energy.
There are nearly 800 jobs open today in Norfolk. We have more jobs than people to work them. That’s why we’ve focused so much on building a community people want to live in and feel proud to call home, a place where individuals are valued as more than just workers, where they are neighbors who feel connected to each other and to the place they live.
Community development is intentional, deliberate, and careful work. It requires vision, partnerships, planning, and patience. It involves much more effort than simplistic sloganeering and political pandering. It’s more rewarding, constructive, and healthy to build up than it is to tear down.
Abraham Lincoln said, “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives . . . I like to see a man live in it so that his place will be proud of him.”
We’re building a place of which we can all be proud, Norfolk. It’s been a pleasure and unique honor to have participated in this important work with you.
-Mayor Josh Moenning, October 2024