By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – With two months left in Omaha's fiscal year, city leaders are exploring options to close a $9.5 million budget gap.
The fiscal year ends December 31. Ron Gerard, spokesman for Mayor Jim Suttle's office, says Mayor Suttle and the Finance Department are meeting daily to monitor the budget. Gerard says city services can't be cut any more than they already have been. Omaha's Parks and Recreation Department, and libraries, took significant budget cuts earlier this year.
Gerard says one option is to draw from the city's cash reserve, which has a balance of $5 million. City officials could also draw from the balance in the sewer fund to help close the budget deficit.
If both the police and fire unions agree to a wage freeze, Gerard says that could save the city $4.2 million.