By Katie Knapp Schubert
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kios/local-kios-978253.mp3
Omaha, NE – Omaha's fiscal year 2012 budget accounts for nine fewer police officers and 24 fewer firefighters.
Mayor Jim Suttle introduced the budget at Tuesday's city council meeting. The $730.6 million dollar budget is ten percent larger than this year's spending plan. Most of that increase is in capital and non-personnel services, according to documents released by city officials. There's no tax increase in the budget plan, and no projected 2012 deficit.
Among the additions in the 2012 budget are 22 new civilian employees. 14 of those employees will work on the combined sewer overflow project. Overall, the 2012 budget funds 11 fewer city jobs. Omaha's Parks and Recreation Department wants to add a Park Safety Division. Mayor Suttle says that idea came from feedback on the city's new engageomaha.com virtual town hall site.
The city's Finance Department projects Omaha will receive $19 million dollars in revenue from the restaurant tax in 2012. Property tax revenue will remain nearly the same as this year.
Councilmen set a public hearing on the budget for August 9 at 7 pm.