By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – A vote on Omaha's 2012 budget is set for August 23rd.
A public hearing was held Tuesday on the $730 million budget. There's no projected deficit or tax increases in the plan. The 2012 budget accounts for 11 fewer city employees overall.
Mayor Jim Suttle calls the budget proposal responsible and positive. "Last year, we did the heavy lifting to stabilize the city's finances, we have overcome a $34 million shortfall in less than 12 months and turned it in to being in the black, so our revenue minus our expenses equals a positive number, and we have delivered the full city services that the public have asked for."
Suttle says the city's bond rating was downgraded last week to AAA negative. But he says that's a result of the federal downgrade, and not actions by the city. However, Suttle says a further downgrade could cost the city, and taxpayers, more in interest. Another uncertainty in the 2012 budget is how much it'll cost Omaha to clean up following Missouri River flooding.
A new Park Safety Division and 22 additional employees for the combined sewer overflow project are also included in the 2012 budget.