With Mayor Jim Suttle set to unveil his 2011 budget proposal Tuesday, he has scheduled four public meetings to discuss the plan.
Suttle's office said Monday that the mayor will hold the forums to get community feedback on his plan for next year's budget, which he will present to the City Council.
City Finance Director Pam Spaccarotella and representatives from various city departments will make a presentation on the city budget and answer questions. Suttle will open each session before residents go into breakout sessions with city department personnel.
In a recent interview with The World-Herald, Suttle said higher taxes will be on the table in order to keep providing basic city services such as police protection, parks and libraries.
He said he's looking at the possibility of higher property taxes, a new entertainment tax or an occupation tax on Omaha workers and their employers. Suttle also is considering an increase in the wheel tax to pay for street improvements.
The mayor held three similar discussions last summer to gather public input on the 2010 budget. Those meetings drew hundreds of people and led to some heated exchanges as audience members questioned city decisions to cut services, including at libraries and pools.
The schedule for the upcoming meetings:
• Thursday: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Millard South High School, 14905 Q St.
• Monday: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Central High School, 124 N. 20th St.
• July 28: 6:30 to 8 p.m, Westside High School, 8701 Pacific St.
• Aug. 2: 6:30 to 8 p.m, South High School, 4519 S. 24th St.
Contact the writer:
444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com
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