Omaha Council President Proposes Pay Freezes For Council, Mayor - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Paul Gutierrez

OMAHA (KPTM) - Omaha's City Council president, Tom Mulligan, has added a pair of pay freeze proposals to the council agenda when it meets Tuesday afternoon.

If his proposal gets the green light, it would wipe out a previous council-approved format guaranteeing raises to policymakers every year.  Under Mulligan's plan, the city council's salary would be fixed at a shade above $37,000 a year starting in 2014 and ending in 2018.  Likewise, the mayor's compensation would also be affected with Mulligan envisioning a rate of $113,000 plus a year staying put through New Year's Eve 2018.

At Monday night's mayoral forum in North Omaha, candidates spoke openly to Fox 42 News about where they stood.

"It's hard to say," said candidate Dan Welch.  "I'd have to take a good look at it, but usually those types of political promises are symbolism over substance."

"I feel like we as council members and the mayor also should lead by example," stated candidate Jean Stothert.  "When we are asking others to tighten their belts we should, too."

"I'm glad to see the city council catch up with what I proposed four years ago in 2009 when we needed it," said Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle.

Brad Ashford told Fox 42 News he'll take a 25 percent pay cut if elected mayor.  As for Dave Nabity, he has not yet formed an opinion and needs more time to look at the proposal. 

Voters at Monday night's forum also spoke out.

"Why should they keep getting raises when the general public doesn't get a raise?," asked Gerald Miller.

While the city council is expected to take up the issue on Tuesday, a vote on the matter is not expected until April.