OMAHA- A summer of constant protesting and calls to rethink the Omaha police budget did not sway elected officials enough to make a change. The City Council did not amend the 2021 budget as many people thought they would. The Omaha Police Department will receive the full $161.3 million next year which accounts for 36.7% of all government city spending.

The council agreed to take slightly less money, around $2 million, from the cash reserves. However, Mayor Jean Stothert plans to veto the measure saying the city should not be taking money out of reserves during a pandemic.

Councilman Pete Festersen believes they should be doing more to address poverty, racial disparities and mental health in Omaha. Other council members believe the police department is just getting a "bad rap" from some in Omaha. Police Chief Schmaderer said a $2 million cut would result in the loss of 20 officers which he believes can't happen in the current divisive atmosphere.

All members of the council, including more conservative members say they are in support of bolstering the city's mental health initiatives as well.

Activist groups in Omaha say the decision to not redirect some funding was a 'slap in the face' to the work that they are doing.

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