Omaha City Council 2027 Budget Department Presentations - August 11, 2026

The Omaha City Council held a budget presentation session on August 11, 2026, to review departmental funding proposals for the 2027 city budget. Finance Director Steve Curtis provided an overview, followed by presentations and question-and-answer discussions with the Planning, Police, Fire, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Public Library, and Convention and Visitors Bureau. The meeting recessed at 6:30 p.m. following a motion.

Finance Overview

• Steve Curtis reported general fund projections of $128.7 million in property tax revenue, $288 million in sales tax revenue, and $46 million in restaurant taxes. The city's property tax levy remains unchanged at 43.99 cents, and the city accounts for 21.39% of the total property tax bill.
• The police budget increases 12% to $261 million; the fire general fund increases from $141 million to $147 million (about 4.5%); parks funding rises $5 million, with an additional $5 million from philanthropy; and total city positions grow by 43.
• Councilmember Melton asked about the 8% sales tax growth estimate. Curtis explained that the 8% is over the prior budget, while the actual trend is about 4% above 2026 collections. The city has struggled to obtain detailed sales tax data from the state; a request for additional information is pending, with an answer expected in about a month.

Planning Department

• Dave Fanslaw stated the department has 136 employees (a decrease of one) and a $16 million general fund allocation, while managing more than $141 million in total grant and program funding. The budget includes $780,000 for training and technology and $441,000 in TIF revenue.
• The Capital Improvement Plan includes $647 million in general obligation bonds. Notable projects: the $181 million police/fire headquarters and training facility, $40 million per year for street preservation (over 800 lane miles improved in five years), the $45 million Levi Carter Sports Complex opening in October, the $200 million CHI Center investment, and streetcar funding.
• On annexation, Fanslaw said no residential SIDs were financially viable this year, so no annexation package was brought forward.

Police Department

• Chief Schmider presented a proposed 2027 budget of $235 million, an 8.5% increase. Year-to-date crime is down 10%; homicides down 36%, sexual assault down 25%, robbery down 34%, with reductions in burglary, auto theft, and theft. Staffing stands at 844 of 906 budgeted officers, with 93 new officers funded; full strength is anticipated by the June 2027 academy.
• The budget funds 35 new vehicles, $9.9 million in IT infrastructure, $72,000 for body-worn cameras and tasers, and $42,000 for radios. Personnel costs are 88.4% of the budget.
• Lieutenant Straub highlighted the real-time operations center and drone first responder program, noting nearly 400 calls this year that officers did not need to attend. Drones have about 20 minutes of flight time, while helicopters remain complementary.
• Councilmember Goodwin asked about mental health training; the chief said about three-quarters of uniform patrol have completed 40-hour crisis intervention training, and each precinct has behavioral health co-responders. Co-responder statistics show 15,670 and 15,357 responses to 911 calls (as listed for two years), 1,289 phone engagements (goal 1,300), and 963 in-person engagements (goal 1,200). The chief promised to provide specific mental health spending figures.
• Councilmember Melton questioned the absence of a line item for Flock cameras. The chief clarified the city uses Axon cameras, not Flock; they are included in cruiser camera packages, with data purged every 180 days, use limited to investigations, and protocols mirroring ACLU recommendations. The city attorney added that state statute regulates their use, and the council requested copies of the statute and ACLU guidelines.

Fire Department

• Chief Botsman reported a proposed 4.65% general fund growth rate. The department has 687 sworn and 8 civilian positions, with 9 new sworn positions funded. The CIP includes $3.5 million for fleet replacement (3 engines, 3 medic units, remount 3 additional units). Station 70 construction begins spring 2027; Station 53 is under feasibility review; a new headquarters near 76th and Cass will appear on the November ballot.
• The budget also includes replacing 17-year-old live-fire training containers and $160,000 for a new smoke simulation system at the training tower.
• Councilmember Melton noted decreases in the Fire Investigation Bureau ($1.5 million to $1.2 million) and Fire Safety Bureau ($3.2 million to $1.8 million). Assistant Chief Bradley said one investigator position was reallocated because it could not be filled; the fire chief said he would send details on the safety bureau decrease.
• Councilmember Hug asked about firefighter staffing numbers; the chief explained that the 2027 line of 370 includes personnel in the promotion 'drop,' with 18 probationary firefighters also listed, and two recruit classes are planned in 2027.
• Councilmember Goodwin asked about a previously approved crisis support specialist position. Chief Botsman said the position is not yet filled and would be funded with opioid settlement money, but the city attorney said he had placed a hold on the project pending a legal review of allowable uses of those funds.

Public Works

• Bob Stuby presented his final budget: $820 million total, with over two-thirds capital. Personnel are 10.5% of the budget; the general fund allocation is $40.5 million (about 5%). Six new positions are proposed: two vehicle maintenance, two parking/mobility, and two water resource recovery facility operators.
• Councilmembers commended Stuby for closing prior wage gaps in equipment operator and vehicle maintenance classifications.

Parks, Recreation & Public Property

• Dan Cedar said the 2027 budget adds $6 million to help close a $5 million maintenance deficit identified in the 2025 master plan. Fourteen positions are added, including 11 parks maintenance staff, 1 administrative position, and 2 for the Tranquility Park enterprise fund.
• Part-time/seasonal pay increases from $15.50 to $16.50 per hour, with a $0.25 raise for returning seasonal staff. Funding increases cover chemicals, building repairs, pools, playgrounds, and restrooms.
• Projects include the Levi Carter Sports Complex opening October 3, Tranquility Park opening fall 2027, Jerry Park renovations, Gallagher Park ball field improvements, and Camelot pool repairs.
• Councilmember Harding asked about the enterprise division appropriation dropping from $31 million to $20 million; Cedar explained the decline is due to reduced Tranquility capital costs ($18.7 million in 2026 to $7.4 million in 2027), all bonded, with no general fund impact.

Omaha Public Library

• Library Director Laura Marline and staff presented a 7% materials budget increase approved by the mayor as the first step in a nine-year plan to address long-term underfunding. The library serves all Douglas County, receiving 80% of its funding from the city and 14% from the county.
• The library cited 2020 census data: 30% of Nebraska's population lives in Douglas County, which grew 12% from 2010 to 2020. The library reported a 2025 population figure of 66,046 (as transcribed), a 4% increase since 2020, with a projected 818,096 by 2050.
• Omaha has 44 of 66 national marketing segments, and is an outlier in that affluent residents use the library. The library ended reciprocal agreements with Ralston and Lincoln in October 2025 to focus on local taxpayers. Per capita materials spending is $3.69, compared with Lincoln's $5.85; peer libraries range from $30 (Knoxville) to $59 (Milwaukee).
• The new central library, a $158 million investment with $20 million from the city, drew 172,000 visitors in its first 90 days, with the collection turning over twice. Heritage funded the opening-day collection. Southwest branch design funding of $1 million is in the 2027 CIP, with $14 million for construction the following year.

Convention & Visitors Bureau

• A representative from the Convention & Visitors Bureau reported that 2025 tourism cooled but still brought more than 3 million visitors from target markets, a 9% increase over 2024. Sales teams booked 188 future events worth $140 million in economic impact.
• In 2026, visitation from target markets is up 8.8%, with more than 7 million out-of-town visitors. The 2027 budget increases 1.68% ($199,891) to $12 million. Lodging and occupation tax revenue is projected to decrease 6.6%, so the bureau will draw $500,000 more from reserves, and the general fund contribution rises $100,000 to $2.6 million.
• For 2027, 66 events are on the books, representing 71,000 room nights and $110 million in economic impact.
• Councilmember Hug raised concerns about short-term rental tax collection, noting one major booking platform may not be collecting hotel taxes. The bureau said it could provide estimated data.

Other Budgetary Accounts

• Steve Curtis reviewed non-departmental accounts: retiree health care is flat at $21 million (total health spend $95 million); community service programs rise 6.75% to $3.6 million; Nebraska Humane Society funding is up 8%; Lauritzen Gardens increases from $100,000 to $114,000; the zoo receives $3.273 million (up 5.5% by ordinance); the county jail agreement is expected to rise about 37% (not yet finalized); 911 funding is up 3.75% to $9.129 million; MECA receives $20 million in CIP capital; general expenses are up about 7% largely due to a new county purchasing charge; wage adjustments total $4.3 million; and the council contingency is $350,000 ($50,000 per member).
• Councilmember Hug requested that the Humane Society contract address waiving pet licensing fees for seniors and disabled veterans; Curtis said he would relay that to the mayor's office. Hug also asked about the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership increase from $185,000 to $350,000; Curtis said the chamber convinced the mayor the city was underfunding it.
• Councilmember Melton noted community service spending has doubled from $5 million to over $10 million in two years, with $5 million now from the general fund. He pointed out that the $4.5 million for UNMC comes from tobacco tax revenue and asked that the budget clearly identify such revenue sources.

Key Outcomes

• No budget votes were taken; the session was for presentation and questions.
• A motion to recess until 6:30 p.m. was approved without a roll-call vote.
• Follow-ups promised: sales tax data from the state, police mental health spending details, fire safety bureau budget explanation, copies of the state camera statute and ACLU guidelines, final county jail agreement, and relaying the pet licensing fee request to the mayor's office.