City Finance Director Pam Spaccarotella Resigns - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Leah Uko

Omaha (KPTM) – The city of Omaha is losing its finance director. Pam Spaccarotella turned in her resignation Tuesday after holding the post for three years.

Spaccarotella says she is leaving her position to work for herself.

She says her $25,000 raise, which was reversed by the city council last week was not a factor in her decision.

City council recently raised concerns over the raise Mayor Jim Suttle gave Spaccarotella. He budgeted for it in 2013, but the city council found out the raise actually took affect at the beginning of 2012.

Just last week, the council voted to reverse that raise and others to city officials as part of the 2013 budget.

Suttle says Spaccarotella will be missed since she helped the city get through tough economic times.

Under her leadership, Suttle said she helped reduce fire department costs and helped the city earn two national awards for budget transparency.

Though Spaccarotella accomplished a great deal for the city, she gives most the credit to her team.

"Everybody is dispensable. No body is irreplaceable," said Spaccarotella. "What I will tell you is that I'm only as good as the people who work for me. And those people are still here."

Spaccarotella doesn't leave her position until November. She says she has a lot of work to do until then.

On her list is continuing improvements on automated technology and retraining her staff. She also has expectations for the city.

"I want them to continue to look for solutions that are, in the long term, in the best interest for the city and not substitute short-term financial gain for long-term stability."

Right now there is no timeline for who will become the finance director. Spaccarotella believes Suttle will find a suitable interim while they look for a permanent replacement.