December 13, 2011
Dec. 13, 2011 –Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle joined community leaders today in calling for increased cooperation in Omaha’s fight against violence. Mayor Suttle praised efforts by Omaha Police Chief Alex Hayes, City Councilman Ben Gray, and community leaders, including Willie Barney, President of the Empowerment Network, for working together to protect our families, homes and neighborhoods.
The event focused on the need for greater community involvement with respect to crime prevention. “Community organizations such as the Empowerment Network, Impact One, churches and many of our Neighborhood Associations have been working with the Police Department on a regular basis,” said Mayor Suttle. “They need the help of each and every citizen who has information about acts of violence in order to create a safer environment for everyone.”
Mayor Suttle also called on increased participation from Omaha’s business community. “Studies have shown that employment is a major factor in deterring crime, so job creation should be our number one priority,” said Mayor Suttle. “It has not been easy in this economy, but I will continue to promote business opportunities in our city and would challenge the business community to work with me to make jobs available in neighborhoods that need them the most.”
Mayor Suttle also asked Omahans to participate in this Saturday’s “no questions asked” Gun Amnesty Day. Unwanted or illegal guns and ammunition can be dropped off at the east side foyer of Omaha’s Civic Auditorium Music Hall from 10 am – 2 pm.
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 - Today, the City of Omaha’s Human Resources Department will host the first session of its Firefighter Recruit Readiness Program at the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center.
The program, which is offered at no cost, helps Fire Department applicants prepare for the two examinations that are included in the hiring process: A written, multiple choice test and a physical ability examination measuring physical strength, stamina, ability and endurance. It consists of two five week sessions covering reading comprehension and math skills, a four week "Skills Workshop" which focuses on testing strategies, anxiety and time management, and a 13-week Fitness Training session.
The Omaha Fire Department is accepting applications for new fire recruits for the first time since 2008. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, be a High School graduate or possess a GED and applications will be accepted until December 19, 2011.
Interested candidates must apply online at www.cityofomaha.org.
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.”
