Mayor Jim Suttle spoke Thursday, along what's been dubbed as "Omaha's Baghdad." The area around 105th and Spaulding is bombarded with pot holes and finally getting re-surfaced.

While he took the opportunity to promote his budget, and why a wheel tax is needed, another group across town had a different agenda.

The Metropolitan Omaha Property Owners Association released the results of a poll they had commissioned, sharing voters’ views on budget-related issues. The group held a press conference at Anthony’s Steakhouse, 72nd and F.

Back at the pothole-plagued neighborhood where Councilman Tom Mulligan stood alongside Mayor Suttle, a neighbor watched city crews prepping the roadway. Monica Kelly said, “It's been six months since it's been like this, and I don't know why it's taken so long. It's not just one or two. It's the whole road."

The mayor told reporters, it comes down to money. Pavement costs are rising and the city's funding limited. Without the $23 hike in the wheel tax he’s calling for, the situation, he said will get worse.

"I don't like taxes any better than anybody else,” said Mayor Suttle. “But we're facing the music. Kick the can further down the road or deal with it right now. And I'm asking the voters and the electorate to stand with me."

But the majority of voters are not standing with him, according to the MSR survey. The group polled 400 voters within all districts of the city, with a 4.9% margin of error.

"I think they're very, very disgruntled,” said MOPOA President John Chatelain. “They're less disgruntled with their council than they are the mayor."

In fact, all council members had approval ratings above 50%. But according to MSR results, only 23% approved of Suttle’s performance as mayor. And, 67% disapproved. The remaining 10% was undecided.

Delving into the topic of whether a new 4% restaurant tax is needed, 16% were in favor. Against it, 78% of those polled.

Nicole Jesse, owner of La Casa Pizza, stood with fellow MOPOA members saying, “The current economy has already seen a decrease in business for a lot of people. People have cut back spending."

Jesse said she feared those who rely on tips will pay the price for the added tax, the quality of the people working in the service industry will suffer, and so will business as a result.

"I hope that the city council is listening. I hope that the voting public has a chance to see the numbers that were produced here, because I think they’ll agree with them," said MOPOA's Tom Jizba.

As for the mayor's handling of fire and police union contract negotiations, the survey indicates 23% approve, but 62% disapprove.

During the mayor’s press conference, Mulligan said he would vote in favor of the police contract Tuesday. The council could vote on the budget itself the following week.

"We have run out of options. We need to fix this now," said Suttle.

The mayor had yet to see the poll results when Channel 6 News asked him about negative public perceptions. The poll showed voters gave him a 67% disapproval rating.

"I'm going to do what's best for the city. I'm not going to necessarily do what's best for Jim Suttle,” he said. “I know there's a downside to this process."

The stretch around 105th and Spaulding, is expected to be resurfaced within 10 days.

Across town, when those with MOPOA were asked if their survey included questions about recalling the mayor, they declined comment. When pushed, they did indicate “if” a question was posed, it was done so following the other questions so as not to sway the results.