PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW OMAHA MAYOR TO REMAIN IN POWER WHEN OUT OF TOWN

OMAHA - A proposed change to Omaha’s City Charter would allow the city’s mayors to remain in charge when traveling outside city limits. 

Debates on the capabilities and limits of new technology, as well as whether Omaha needs a clear line of mayoral responsibility in times of emergency, have come from the proposal. 

Under the current city charter, the City Council president is required to serve as acting mayor whenever the mayor leaves Omaha. Typically, it is a caretaker position. In an emergency situation, however, like a major fire, police shooting, or significant weather event, the fill-in mayor could be required to take on a more active role. 

Supporters of the Mayor's proposal say the current wording is an outdated policy and point to modern technology that allows for near-constant communication between an out-of-town mayor and other city officials. 

“In 2022, there is now the ability for the mayor — as there is any type of government official — to conduct business away from the city of Omaha,” said City Attorney Matt Kuhse when he introduced the proposal earlier this year. The city also is considering a new document signing system that would allow the mayor to sign time-critical documents while traveling outside the city. 

Through a records request, it was determined that Stothert was out of town 39 days in the first six months of 2022, equating to 21% of the first six months being spent outside the city.

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