Top Priority

Rowe said he thinks public safety is the city’s most important issue, saying people should feel safe wherever they are in Omaha. Supporting police and fire personnel with the equipment they need and recruiting good people for such positions is a high priority, he said.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

Rowe said he has been an advocate of TIF for many years. He said he is committed to studying the details of all TIF applications that come before the council.

Major projects and council’s relationship with mayor

The mayor, he said, should provide the vision and direction for the city, ensuring public safety and maintaining services in a fiscally responsible manner. The City Council, Rowe said, should vet the projects that come before it and ensure they are in constituents’ best interests. He said he is committed to studying the information presented to the council by the directors of city departments.

Housing

Rowe also said the high cost of materials, labor and regulations have made it very difficult to develop affordable housing without government subsidies or philanthropic support. It’s time, he said, to implement some of the ideas in the city’s Housing Affordability Action Plan. Rowe said he is committed to identifying best practices and changing the municipal code to ensure good, affordable housing in Omaha.