“That is not sustainable,” he wrote.

It’s estimated that an additional half-cent sales tax would generate about $3 million a year for the city.

He urged the council to seriously consider asking voters for the increase during its upcoming annual strategic planning session and suggested that a special election be held to decide the issue.

“The city cannot give lip service to these issues anymore,” he wrote. “It is time for strong leadership and action to move Bellevue forward and achieve the goals established by voter demand and citizen support.”

Mangiamelli estimated the cost of installing adequate storm and sewer infrastructure in the LB 840 area at approximately $7.5 million, with the cost of a new library or aquatics facility in southwest Bellevue yet unknown.

Bellevue’s current sales tax is 1.5 percent, which, added to the state’s sales tax of 5.5 percent, makes a total of 7 percent. The increase to 2 percent would raise the overall sales tax to 7.5 percent.

The cities of Papillion and La Vista both already levy a 2 percent sales tax.