OMAHA- The Omaha City Council voted Tuesday to adopt a $508 million budget for 2024 that will include a 10% increase in police funding once a new contract with police officers is approved. The council approved an amendment, proposed by council President Pete Festersen, which would decrease the city’s property tax levy by 2.5% instead of the 2.1% that Stothert proposed.

Although the budget slightly reduces the city’s tax levy, it does not guarantee lower tax bills. Many Omaha property owners will still pay more in city taxes because of rising property valuations. The budget boosts city spending by about 7 percent, driven largely by initiatives to recruit and retain more police officers and to prepare for the opening the city’s new central library.

The budget includes an increase of about $9.6 million for police recruitment and retention. The budget also includes an 8.3% increase in library funding. Along with the big increase in property valuations, sales tax collections are expected to climb by 7% and restaurant tax collections by 6%. The Fire Department budget would increase 1.7%.

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