The government of the City of Omaha, Nebraska consists of the Mayor of Omaha, the Omaha City Council and various departments of the City of Omaha, which is located in Douglas County, Nebraska. The city of Omaha was founded in 1854 and incorporated in 1857.
Omaha operates under a strong mayor form of government.Omaha Election . University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Retrieved 8/29/07. The mayor, who does not serve on the council, and seven council members are all elected to four-year terms. The mayor appoints commissioners and other officials who oversee the various departments. In addition to the mayor, Omaha's two other citywide elected officials are the clerk and the treasurer.
The Omaha City Council is the legislative branch and is made up seven members elected from districts across the city. The council enacts local ordinances and approves the city budget. Government priorities and activities are established in a budget ordinance approved annually. The council takes official action through the passage of ordinances and resolutions.
The City of Omaha has considered consolidating with Douglas County government.[1]
The current Mayor of Omaha is Jean Stothert, a member of the Republican Party. The City Clerk is Dan Esch, a member of the Democratic Party and members of the City Council are Pete Festerson, Council President from District 1; Juanita Johnson from 2; Danny Begley from 3; Ron Hug from 4; Don Rowe from 5; Brinker Harding from 6 and; Aimee Melton,[2] Council Vice President from 7.