City of Omaha Mayor’s Office

The following is the full speech Mayor Jim Suttle presented to the Omaha City Council on Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 at 2:00PM.

Good Afternoon. Thank you for being here today for the presentation of the 2012 Budget.

We are embarking on our eighth week of battling rising water levels on the Missouri River which continue to threaten residents and businesses along the riverfront in Omaha. Although we have planned for the worst, we are optimistic and working for the best.

This experience has taught me a great deal about what the people of Omaha are truly made of. Our citizens don’t walk away from a challenge and are willing to do what it takes to keep our city moving forward.

We’ve demonstrated throughout this challenge that as a community we are at our best when we plan ahead and pull together for the greater good of our city. What has impressed me most is watching agencies from all levels of government, the private sector and individual volunteers rally to keep our city dry and our people safe. It is inspiring.

City employees have worked tirelessly, taking on additional responsibilities, and demonstrating a strong commitment to the welfare of this great city. They have worked in harmony to keep our airport open, to keep sewage from backing into our neighborhoods, and to protect hundreds of millions of dollars in assets and thousands of jobs. I would like to give my sincere thanks to each and every one of our dedicated city employees.

Our city’s budget is another shining example of what happens when all of us pull together to solve the problems we face in our community, no matter how insurmountable the challenges may seem at first. After two difficult years of overcoming serious budget shortfalls your willingness to work with me to get our financial house in order has paid off. Today, I am pleased to tell you we will be able to pay for vital city services this year without increasing taxes!

The budget before you today is a responsible one and a strategic one. It positions city government for long term success in responding to the public’s need for services. Most importantly it has been designed with the people of Omaha’s best interest in mind, now and in the future.

We are pulling out of this recession in better shape than most cities across the country but we cannot afford to throw caution to the wind. We must continue to keep our eyes open for unexpected events around the corner. We restored financial stability to our city by reducing expenses and implementing efficiencies throughout our city departments.

Our goal for 2012 is to maintain and manage our accounts by planning ahead, and forecasting our needs in five year increments. We have the technology to project our finances, next year, the year after and the year after that. It is in the best interest of taxpayers to know what lies ahead and avoid surprises so they too can be prepared for the future.

Twelve months ago I asked for your support in navigating out of extremely rough financial waters. I asked for your patience. Together we did the heavy lifting and are now seeing positive results. Significant spending cuts combined with minimal tax increases made it possible for us to be in the black today. I want to sincerely thank you for your support and for your commitment to the people we serve.

Let me repeat. This city is at its best when we work together and confront the challenges we face, head on. Our city employees and our taxpayers also deserve credit for their willingness to work with us through the city’s financial problems.

The 2012 budget reflects responsible spending and responsible savings. We are changing the way we do business, so taxpayers can get the most from every dollar they spend. The City of Omaha has the challenge of maintaining quality services while operating as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Performance based budgeting is an excellent example of well thought out efficiency measures that enable our city departments to offer cost effective services. It focuses financial resources on services demonstrated to work in the best interest of the people we serve.

The Omaha Fire Department has been using this model for two years. They have strategically repositioned people and equipment to optimize their services.

As a result Omaha firefighters;

• Continue to meet their response times
• They have not had a fire related death in 30 months
• They have saved the city nearly 11 million dollars over two years and
• Will be under budget this year for the second time in a row. This is a first.

I would like to thank the entire Fire Department for their commitment to the people of Omaha.

Both the Omaha Police and Fire Departments reduced their staff numbers again, which is expected to generate significant cost savings for 2012. The 2012 budget provides for increased pension contributions by Police and Fire as part of our long term strategy to solve the unfunded pension liability.

The City continues to leverage technology as a way of increasing efficiencies and streamlining government operations. In 2012 we will see most tax payments available on-line. Building permits will be going on line, reducing long application schedules and eliminating a frustrating process for businesses and developers. We also implemented on-line scheduling for golf courses and more e-government is on the way.

For the first time ever, hundreds of citizens in Omaha weighed-in on the budget through a virtual town hall system called EngageOmaha.com, and we listened. Park Security was repeatedly mentioned as a priority to the people we serve and as a result we created a division within the Parks Department dedicated to park security in the 2012 budget.

Our overall goal is to turn the tide on shortsighted decision-making which may produce short term political benefits but prevents city government from providing quality services to its residents. City streets have been sacrificed to avoid making tough decisions and we must change that. In 2012, I am proposing a ten year plan to put residential street light funding back into the general fund, freeing up money for much needed street maintenance and repairs. I am also continuing a long term plan to build our cash reserves so we can be better prepared to make responsible decisions for our community and our children who depend on us to protect their future interests. I would ask for your help in reaching these goals.

If we don’t start looking ahead our city will always be operating in crisis mode. Benjamin Franklin said, “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” No one can predict when the next financial crisis or major weather event will take place. We know the consequences of not being prepared for a bad economy. We also understand the sense of security that comes from working together, being prepared and staying ahead of flood waters.

We have an opportunity and a responsibility to the people who elected us to serve in their best interest. I ask that you consider this twenty-twelve budget request and build on what we have achieved together.

Dr. Martin Luther King said “the time is always right to do what is right.”

We have come this far together doing what is right for Omaha, and we will continue to be at our best when we pull together for the greater good of this community.

Thank You.

City of Omaha Full 2012 Adopted Budget

Mayor Jim Suttle Presenting His 2012 Recommended Budget to the Omaha City Council