In a news release, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert says Metropolitan Utilities District does not need natural gas and water rate increases because of Omaha's Streetcar development.
The utility tells the City Council the rate increases will pay for moving water and gas lines along the streetcar route during construction, but the Mayor's office says a rate hike was already in the works.
Omaha Public Works says many Metropolitan Utilities District lines in the urban core are at least 100 years old and need to be replaced with or without the streetcar project, and the city has offered viable proposals to help with the cost.
The City is asking M-U-D to work with them to reach an agreement that will not result in utility rate hikes.
(Picture from City of Omaha)