Mayor Jean Stothert was our guest speaker this week and spoke extensively about her four priorities as Mayor: 1). Public Safety; 2). Managing the Budget; 3). Job Growth and Economic Development  and 4). Customer Service and improving the taxpayer's experience.

 

Mayor Stothert mentioned her recent proposal to build a 5th precinct which would be the first new precinct building for the police in 20 years.  This facility would be built at 204th & Cumberland in Elkhorn and help reduce response times in West Omaha.  Stothert also mentioned that body cameras were purchased for 100 uniform patrol officers and approximately 300 will be purchased next year to outfit all 400 uniform officers.  Shot spotter technology is also being used to a greater degree to assist with shots fired calls.  The Mayor talked about the fact that complaints against the police department are low and clearance rates are high with a homicide clearance rate of 87%.  Crime is lower across 7 indexes with 6 showing reductions.  The 29 homicides in 2016 were the lowest in 13 years.   The goal is to also increase the authorized strength from 804 to 825 to 840 to 860 t0 900 by 2019. 

 

The Mayor also explained a study that took place to study the current locations of fire stations and the needs over the next 25 years.  Two stations currently need to be moved and over the next 25 years three need to be added out west.

 

On the budget the Mayor talked about the projected budget shortfalls of 13 million in 2013 and 20 million in 2014.  Stothert discussed that each year she has had a budget surplus because of her budget management while holding general fund increases to under 3%.  She also discussed renegotiating all of the employment contracts to provide for budget certainty.  The city's cash reserve is now one million dollars.

 

Job Growth and Economic Development the Mayor emphasized Public, Private Partnerships and advised that $2.7 billion in economic development has occurred with 54,000 jobs.  She also mentioned that Omaha was rated 1 by Site Selection for expanded business growth and the 3rd best place to find a job by Zip Recruiter.  Job growth is strongest in Health Education and Health Care.  There is also an effort to redevelopment the riverfront and the Gene Leahy Mall.  The Mayor mentioned wanting a concept similar to the River walk in San Antonio.  Development is almost complete in Aksarben Village with HDR's headquarters building.  Major developments are planned around 144th and 192nd and Dodge.

 

The Mayor's Hotline has been redesigned to promote customer service and all city departments have had their websites redesigned to be more interactive.  A new roads initiative is to address the 5,000 lane miles in Omaha.  The Mayor said we are 50 years behind.  Stothert talked about the increased funding she has brought to this issue going from 2.8 million in 2010 to 11 million this year.  She also mentioned 320 million in the Capital Improvement Plan.