Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert is in her second term as Mayor of Omaha. First elected in 2013, and re-elected in May 2017, she is the 51st Omaha mayor and the city’s first woman to be elected to the office.
Mayor Stothert’s priorities are public safety, job growth and economic development, improving our roadways, managing the city budget, and improving the taxpayer experience when interacting with city government.
Mayor Stothert has reduced the property tax rate twice, improved city services, and worked with the Omaha City Council to grow the city’s population and tax base through annexation. Through her leadership and that of the Omaha Police Department nearly 100 additional police officers have been added since Mayor Stothert was first elected. A record high 900 officers are helping to make Omaha safer and are one of the best large-city police departments in the country.
Earlier this year, Mayor Stothert proposed a significant, long-term program to improve the condition of Omaha’s roads. The bond issue to approve the program, and the required funding, were voted on by the public in the spring of 2020. Both questions passed overwhelmingly, receiving 72% and 63% of the vote. After decades of underfunding for this important city obligation, the new program has already begun and allows the city to double the amount of road repairs every year well into the future.
Mayor Stothert worked closely with numerous officials to communicate decisions and directives in response to the worldwide pandemic. She also negotiated with the State of Nebraska and Douglas County to obtain $60 million of funding to help address City of Omaha budget issues related to COVID-19. This successful effort prevented significant cuts in city services.
Since Mayor Stothert took office, the City of Omaha has issued more than 118,000 building permits for a total value of $5.8 billion, demonstrating the strength of Omaha’s economy.
She serves on the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) Board of Directors and the Salvation Army Advisory Board. She is the honorary Chair of the Omaha Sister Cities Association and Co-Chair of the Smart Cities Initiative.