December 8, 2011
Dec. 7, 2011 – Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle and City Finance Director, Pam Spaccarotella’s efforts to remove the negative outlook assigned to the city’s AAA bond rating by Moody’s Investors Service in August, paid off today with the restoration of its stable outlook. The Suttle administration traveled to Chicago in September to make an appeal to the bond rating agency in person, asking Moody’s to restore Omaha’s good standing despite the federal government’s credit rating downgrades.
The City of Omaha’s Finance Department was notified August 4, 2011 that Moody’s Investors Services assigned a negative outlook to the City of Omaha’s AAA rated General Obligation bonds. “This notification was a result of Moody’s announcement that the AAA rating of the U.S. government had been assigned a negative outlook,” said Finance Director, Pam Spaccarotella. “In order to keep Omaha taxpayers from paying $5-6 million in higher interest, we thought it was important to make Moody’s aware of this administration’s strong commitment to responsible financial management. Bond rating companies such as Moody’s and Standard and Poors look at several aspects of how a city manages its finances in determining a city’s credit rating, very much like how your personal credit score is determined. ”
“We cut spending in city government through performance based budgeting and balanced our budget in spite of millions of dollars of cuts in aid from the state and federal government,” said Mayor Suttle. “This year we continued to create efficiencies that greatly improve the administration of vital city services to our citizens, without tax increases and established a plan for building financial reserves. These accomplishments demonstrate that we have the political will to plan for the future while rising above the dependence of outside assistance to keep our community solvent.”
The City of Omaha’s General Obligation bonds were assigned a AAA rating with a negative outlook nearly 4 months ago along with 177 other local governments. Moody’s specifically stated that the outlook was moved to negative with a group of issuers identified as indirectly linked to the U.S. government rating based upon certain shared characteristics. Moody’s further stated that they would continue to evaluate each outlook on a case by case basis. Today Omaha officially restored a stable outlook to its AAA bond rating.
December 6, 2011
Dec. 6, 2011 – The City of Omaha’s Planning Department is pleased to announce today that they have accepted more than 1000 permits online since the launch of this service less than two months ago. The online permitting, which began October 11, 2011, has accepted the thousand plus permit applications from more than 100 different contractors.
The first phase is complete and over 20 different types of permits are now online for issuance. Since the initial launch, the city has accepted 19% of all permits being offered online from its website. The second phase of online permitting is expected to begin the 2nd Quarter of 2012. The second phase of permits will include complex building permits requiring the uploading of plan documents and internal review.
The Planning Department and its business partners are already seeing the online permitting system paying for itself. Since its launch the city, has saved around 76 work hours allowing the department to reallocate resources in order to improve customer service to the citizens of Omaha. Postage and office supply costs have also been reduced. Contractors using the system are seeing increased productivity due to less time spent on obtaining permits.
“It allows Electrical Contractors the ability to streamline the permitting and inspection scheduling process,” said Mike Anderson, Great Plains Electric. “We are having good success and are happy the City is using Technology available today,” said Tom Eyman, Eyman Plumbing. “The system is very user friendly, quick and saves time and money since we don’t have to come downtown,” Mitzi Magsam, BradCo Contruction Total Roofing. “The ability to apply for a permit via the online permitting system and immediately have that permit issued has been great for our office,’ said John Hiller, Hiller Electric. “It takes out the guesswork of knowing how long it will be before a permit is issued, and has eliminated a lot of the paperwork on our end.”
December 5, 2011
December 5, 2011- For the first time since 2008 the Omaha Fire Department is now accepting applications for new fire recruits. The City’s Human Resources Department is reaching out to people from all areas of the community in an attempt to encourage a diverse group of applicants for the Omaha Fire Department. Applications will be accepted until December 19, 2011.
“Our firefighters are on the front line to serve the citizens of Omaha,” said Omaha Fire Chief Mike McDonnell. “We are looking for candidates who reflect the demographics and values of our community. Applicants should possess a strong value for public service, embody trust, compassion, integrity and loyalty and be a good team player.”
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be a High School graduate or possess a GED. In order for a candidate to be referred to the Fire Department for consideration, they must first pass a written, multiple choice exam and a physical ability examination designed to measure physical strength, stamina, ability and endurance.
Interested candidates must apply online at www.cityofomaha.org.
Firefighters Receive Awards for Excellence in Service from Fire Chief Mike McDonnell and Mayor Jim Suttle
December 2, 2011
December 2, 2011 – The City of Omaha unveiled its’ first-ever “Snow-App” for iPhones and Android smart phones at a press conference this morning at the Jesse Lowe Conference Center.
The simple, user-friendly “app” will advise users when a snow-emergency is in effect, notify them of proper parking procedures during a snow emergency, and keep Omaha citizens up to date on road conditions during and after a storm.
“The app is aimed at people who are on the go,” said Heather Tippey Pierce, General Services Manager of the City’s Public Works Department. “It is an additional tool designed to provide citizens with the most up-to-date information regarding road conditions and current parking regulations. We will continue to inform citizens of snow emergencies through the traditional channels, but we want to make this information as accessible as possible.”
The App may be downloaded for free at the Android Market. The iPhone version will be available in a few days.
“I’m always looking for ways to make government more accessible to the people,” said Mayor Jim Suttle. “We had great cooperation from Omaha residents last winter, and I hope that this app will make it easier for citizens to comply with snow emergency policies, allowing for quicker removal times.”
November 30, 2011
November 29, 2011: Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is urging Congress to authorize $14 million to fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ infrastructure repair work in Omaha. He made the request in a letter sent to Capitol Hill today.
In the letter addressed to Rep. Bob Gibbs, (R-OH) Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Mayor Suttle asked Congress to “work expediently to repair and restore our levees and flood control structures that were damaged by the floodwaters this year.”
The letter, offered for tomorrow’s subcommittee hearing entitled The Missouri River Flood: An Assessment of River Management in 2011 and Operational Plans for the Future, states that the Corps of Engineers is responsible for $14 million in repairs to infrastructure, but they currently lack the funding to complete the needed repairs. “Through the combined efforts of city staff, consultants, contractors, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, we won the battle against the Missouri River this summer. However, Omaha and the 13 miles of levees that protect it are badly bruised.”
“I have already spoken with Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Steve King (R-IA), and Tom Latham (R-IA),” said Mayor Suttle. “I want to make sure that Washington understands the urgency of our needs. I am hopeful that they will authorize the funding by year’s end so that we can begin the process of repairing our levees by early 2012.”
November 28, 2011
November 28, 2011- Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle and Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan settled up on last week’s bet over who would win the Thanksgiving football showdown between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday. The two Mayors talked about the “Husker-Hawkeye Wager” by phone this afternoon. As a result of the Huskers’ 20-7 win, Mayor Hanafan, his staff, and Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs will build a house near 38th and Seward Streets in Omaha on December 17th.
Mayor Suttle along with Omaha volunteers plan to attend the December 17th home building effort by Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs and lend a hand. Suttle will also be collecting basic kitchen and household supplies for a new family moving into a Council Bluffs Habitat for Humanity Home on December 10th.
“It’s important to remember that those in need of food and shelter also need basic supplies for cooking and baking,” said Mayor Suttle. “I’m asking my staff to join me in donating supplies to help our friends across the river. We are glad to have won the game and a new home for an Omaha family, but we still want to help neighbors in need on the Iowa side of the river. Mayor Hanafan and I built a strong relationship during the flood and saw the devastation people along the river felt when their homes were damaged or destroyed. Although we were on opposite sides for the football game, both Mayor Hanafan and I will continue to work together on issues impacting our communities.”
On November 18, Mayor Suttle and Mayor Hanafan met in the middle of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge to wager on last Friday’s Nebraska-Iowa game. Under the terms of the bet, the losing team’s Mayor must build a Habitat for Humanity home in the winning Mayor’s city.
Mayor Suttle on the Phone with Council Bluffs Mayor Hanafan as Tracy McPherson from Habitat for Humanity Listens In
