City councilmembers to vote on pay raises for themselves and mayor, following city charter

Omaha city councilmembers are set to vote on salary increases for future officials and mayor, drawing mixed reactions in a public hearing this week.The Omaha city charter puts council members in charge of setting their own position’s salaries, along with the mayor, for future officials elected by Omaha. Former city council candidate Sara Kohen took to social media Friday, who said the money should be spent elsewhere this time around.”This just doesn’t sit right with me,” Kohen said. “It seems to me that there are all kinds of priorities in the city where we could be looking at spending taxpayer dollars.”The December 19 vote could give the council members and mayor a three percent raise over four years, starting in 2027.The city studied the cost of living and other council member salaries in 20 similar-sized cities. Omaha’s council members make $42,923, similar to those in St. Louis making $40,000. An approval December 19 would put Omaha officials near Albuquerque’s ($62,843), Tucson’s ($76,600), and Milwaukee’s ($84,000).Officials say the salary for the mayor of Omaha is one of the lowest among the country’s top 50 cities with a strong-mayor style of government. Mayor Jean Stothert earns $114,068 right now, which is higher than Tulsa ($132,500). A December 19 approval would put the Omaha mayor’s salary near those in Albuquerque ($132,500) and Milwaukee ($147,000).”Even when you leave the chambers, you’re doing things even late into the night,” supporter Luis Jimenez said.City council members could forego raises, according to city council member Aimee Melton.”We’re not setting our own, we’re not giving ourselves a pay raise, and that’s why it doesn’t start until 2027,” Melton said.Cohen, who ran against Melton for city council, said families are struggling with housing and childcare, among other expenses.Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7