Ralston Tackles Arena Debt With Tax

The 3,500-seat Ralston Arena opened in 2012 with 80 percent voter approval and officials touting the facility as something that would put Ralston on the map.

But a previous sales tax plan on businesses surrounding the venue that was expected to generate around $625,000 annually failed to pan out, leaving the arena in the red year after year.

The restaurant tax is projected to bring in an estimated $350,000 annually, in addition to other measures the city has taken including cutting spending, an increase in property taxes, and raising concession prices at the arena, the Omaha World Herald reported.

Prior to the passage of the restaurant tax the city was reportedly expecting an almost $800,000 deficit – about 7 percent of its operating budget – for 2016.