COLUMBUS, Neb. — Columbus voters have approved an extension of the city's sales tax and authorized a portion of the revenue for economic development projects. Preliminary results indicate that residents are in favor of continuing the additional one-cent sales tax on every dollar spent in the city for another 17 years.

The ballot presented two options, and the City of Columbus confirmed that voters supported both the renewal of the sales tax and the allocation of funds to the economic development program. Under the approved measure, eight percent of the sales tax revenue, up to a maximum of $650,000 per year and $9.75 million in total, will be directed to the city's development fund.

According to a sample ballot, the existing sales and use tax was scheduled to expire on April 1, 2027. The approval of the extension and the economic development initiative will extend the tax through April 1, 2042. The economic development program is set to begin and conclude five years after the sales tax period.

City officials have stated that the revenue generated from the sales tax will support various expenses and programs throughout the community, including the Pawnee Plunge Water Park and the Columbus Aquatic Center operations. The extension is expected to provide a stable funding source for these and other essential community services.