Omaha mayor touts ‘milestones, miracles and momentum’ in State of the City address

Jean Stothert gave her 11th State of the City address as Omaha’s mayor Monday afternoon.

Stothert began her speech thanking the first responders and volunteers who helped with cleanup after an EF-3 tornado struck several neighborhoods in west Omaha last month.

Stothert presented emergency management director Paul Johnson, who is set to retire this summer, with a key to the city for his efforts.

Stothert also celebrated Omaha’s ranking as the number one city on the Forbes Best Places to Move List.

She said Omaha is setting an example for other communities to follow.

“Every time that Omaha is on a 'best of' list, it is an opportunity to build on our reputation as a city that's on the fast track," she said.

Stothert said crime is down 14% in the city from 2022, while the city’s rate of solving crimes is up.

She said police recruitment is making progress, but the city is still more than 100 officers short of its goal.

The mayor also promised to lower the city’s property tax levy by 2% in 2025, and said she plans to work with the state legislature to provide additional tax relief.

“I do understand that the strong steps are not enough to lower the total property tax bill for most homeowners because property valuation increases are so significant,” she said.

Stothert is running for her fourth term as Omaha mayor, with the mayoral primary election set for April 2025.