Omaha City Council members look to boost funding for community service programs in Stothert’s proposed budget – Omaha World-Herald

A group of City Council members wants to add some money for community service programs to Mayor Jean Stotherts proposed 2018 budget.

Theyve proposed four amendments to add money to such programs, plus a fifth amendment that would beef up the city clerks budget after the council approved some increases to the offices salary ranges.

The amendments would make less than $100,000 worth of changes to a $900 million city budget.

If the amendments are approved, the following programs budgets would increase:

The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency would receive an additional $10,000, for a total of $20,000.

MAPA executive director Greg Youell asked the council to increase its funding to $40,000.

Council President Ben Gray proposed the amendment.

The Police Athletics for Community Engagement would receive an additional $10,000, under an amendment proposed by Gray, Pete Festersen and Vinny Palermo.

Stothert had proposed funding of $25,000, up from $20,000 in 2017.

The ReConnect program, which provides job training and other services to young people transitioning from prison, would receive another $10,000 for a total of $55,000, under an amendment from Gray and Council Vice President Chris Jerram.

Gray and Jerram also want to add $20,000 for the Heartland Workforce Solutions job training program.

Council members had asked for about $1 million in funding; Stothert proposed $500,000, up from $440,000 in 2017.

All of the money would be moved from the mayors proposed allocation to citys reserve funds.

The council is scheduled to vote on the budget Aug. 22. Tuesday is the deadline for council members to submit amendments.

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Omaha City Council members look to boost funding for community service programs in Stothert's proposed budget - Omaha World-Herald