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Mayor Offers Budget Proposal to City Council

Mayor Jim Suttle says it's been a good year for Omaha, and he hopes that continues into 2013. "I'm again proposing a balanced budget, with no proposed tax increases."

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Reporter: Ann McIntire

Mayor Jim Suttle says it's been a good year for Omaha, and he hopes that continues into 2013. "I'm again proposing a balanced budget, with no proposed tax increases."

No doubt, the mayor hopes 2013 will bring him another term. His proposed budget, presented Tuesday at the city council meeting, will likely be scrutinized as part of his record.

There are no tax increases, and for the most part the budget is pretty "neutral." Pretty much what would be expected in this election year, as Mayor Suttle looks toward another four years.

As Suttle presented his proposed budget to the city council, he said recovery is the main focus, from the downturn in the economy, and making up for prior administrations which led to the pension shortfall. "It hasn't been easy, but we are getting there. Much of the credit goes to those city employees who continue to do more with less, for the greater good of our city."

The city is estimating that property tax revenues will be down for 2013, that's because property valuations are down about a percent, but sales tax revenues are estimated to be about 1-3 percent higher.

While most kids would probably love to be at a pool on a hot day, children in the neighborhood by Morton Pool have to find something else to do. The city closed their pool this year, and there's no plans to reopen it in 2013. In fact the budget for the parks and rec department is dropping by about 2 million dollars.

If you'd like to visit one of the city's libraries, in the 2013 budget they actually have a slight increase to the library fund, but that means no branches will close and the hours will stay the same.

When you go to license your vehicle, you're still going to pay a higher wheel tax. In 2011 that fee when from $35 to $50, but that money does go straight into the street maintenance fund so the city can do street projects

Another revenue source for the 2013 budget is the restaurant tax. When it was instated a few years ago, it was expected to bring in about $11 million dollars, but for 2013 it's expected to bring in $25 million dollars. Already this year through June, it's brought in nearly $10 million.

"It is innovation, creative thinking and commitment to our community that has kept our economy and our city moving in the right direction," said Suttle. Now he needs the approval of the city council to keep his proposal moving forward.

The city council has just received the proposed budget, so like the rest of us, members are just now digesting it.

The council will hold a public hearing on the Mayor's budget on August 14th and 7 p.m.