When it comes to politics and elections, the presidential election is often at the forefront of our minds. Though national elections are highly publicized, local elections and local governments tend to be the most impactful to individual citizens’ daily lives.
In Omaha, we are nearing the end of Jean Stothert’s 4 year mayoral term and closing in on the general election for mayor and for all 7 seats of Omaha’s city council. Primary elections took place on April 1st narrowing the mayoral candidates down to incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert and Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing. The general election will take place on May 13th.
Social Studies teacher Matt Beiriger described the large impact city government has on people’s lives.
“City government is probably one of the most directly impactful levels of government on your daily life. They are responsible for most of the direct taxes that you pay and most of the government services you receive or utilize… from emergency services, to road maintenance, trash collection, and economic development.”
Beiriger mentioned sales and restaurant tax and thinking about what it goes to fund. He described some of the many amenities, services and issues we encounter that our city government is responsible for. The city deals with potholes, traffic congestion, and maintaining local parks. It also deals with events such as summer fireworks and even the College World Series, for example.
“These are usually arranged and negotiated by the city government to encourage economic growth and promote Omaha as a destination to the rest of the country,” Beiriger said.
In Omaha’s government system the mayor acts as the chief executive and the city council acts as the legislative body.
“The mayor primarily acts as the head of the various city agencies and departments that must carry out the functions of government, like law enforcement, emergency services, maintenance, health, etc. The mayor does this by hiring numerous department heads, like police chief and fire chief, to carry out these roles,” Beiriger said. He explained that the mayor’s biggest task is creating a city budget so that all the city’s functions can take place effectively while trying to avoid the need for tax increases.
“The city council must approve of the mayor’s spending plan with the same considerations,” Beiriger said.
The job of the city council members is to listen and advocate for their constituents, or the people in their districts that they represent, as well as to,
“…consider what laws or policies may need to be added, updated, changed to improve the function of the city, or improve the quality of life for citizens,” explained Beiriger.
Beiriger explained that unlike presidential elections, elections for mayor are officially Non-Partisan, meaning their party affiliation is not listed on the voting ballot.
“However, candidates usually do belong to a political party and receive help in running their campaigns from their respective parties,” Beiriger said.
On May 13 Omaha will vote to determine the next mayor and city council members. Citizens 18 years of age and older that are registered to vote are eligible to cast their ballot and take part in choosing representatives for this impactful level of government.
