Dec. 28, 2011 – Mayor Jim Suttle will remain focused on financially responsible choices that serve the best interest of Omaha taxpayers entering into the New Year. “2011 has been a challenging year, but we made it through, together, stronger and more committed to finding solutions that will move our city forward,” said Mayor Suttle.
The citizens of Omaha weathered a 500 year flood, financial uncertainties, and political obstacles that threatened to divide the city. “We overcame those obstacles, fought back the flood waters, and gained financial strength through successful efficiency measures which enabled us to keep our AAA bond rating against all odds,” said Suttle. “We’ve cut spending and have worked to save money so we can strengthen our economy, rebuild our infrastructure, provide jobs for our citizens and plan for the future. It is important that we keep moving in this direction.”
Among the list of actions taken by the Suttle administration on behalf of the citizens of Omaha in 2011 include;
• Restoring the Stable Outlook status to the City’s AAA bond rating following downgrades by the Federal Government
• Bringing the community and city employees together to mitigate flood damage and protect the people of Omaha.
• Making Omaha safer by taking over 700 illegal guns off the street
• Providing greater public input on city operations with a year-round virtual town-hall website called EngageOmaha.com
• Establishing online business applications for filing taxes, building permits and inspections – improving the process for users and allowing for more efficient use of city resources
• Making smartphone applications available to the public for snow operations and road conditions
• Automating the city’s budget process to be web based, increasing transparency to Omaha residents
• Collecting outdated account receivables for the city
• Developing a five year revenue outlook for long term planning
• Approving 18 Tax Increment Financing projects with a total value of $150 million dollars – more than tripling last year’s amount
• Obtaining 6.5 million dollars in competitive grant funds, which would have otherwise gone to communities in other states, to reduce crime in Omaha, improve community and economic development and provide afterschool programs for youth in our city
In 2012 Mayor Suttle will be committed to keeping streets and neighborhoods safe, which includes removing illegal guns and gangs from Omaha streets. The Mayor will also continue working with the business community to strengthen the city’s economy and will work to rebuild streets and parks so the city can secure a strong foundation for future growth. “I have emphasized long range planning because it is what is best for the future of Omaha and its citizens,” said Mayor Suttle. “We have seen what decades of short term decision making has done – while it may sound good in a political debate, taxpayers suffer in the long run and we can’t afford to continue on that path.”
In 2012 Mayor Suttle will continue working with the Environmental Protection Agency, Congress and the U.S. Conference of Mayors to secure the rights of Omaha residents to clean water, without forcing them to pay an unreasonable price.
“Most importantly in the New Year we must continue doing whatever it takes to create jobs for our citizens,” said Mayor Suttle. “Providing jobs in this economy is not easy, but it is crucial to the health of our city on so many levels and should be a priority for all of us. Entering the New Year, we should continue working together to make Omaha the best place to live.”
