Newhound 9/2/2009

- Budget battle royale
- Thermal imaging leads to pot house bust
- Couple shot in bed

More after the jump ...

Budget battle royale
A 2.4 cent property tax increase, 2.5 day furloughs for all city employees and a $50 satellite TV inspection fee were the highlights of the budget Omaha City Council members passed Sept. 1 after a grueling 9-hour debate. The budget does not include an entertainment tax, despite support from the mayor and at least two council members.

The budget was passed on a 4-2 vote. Council members Jean Stothert and Pete Festersen voted against the budget because it contained a property tax increase to cover debt from the Qwest Center. The language on the 1999 bond agreement, that voters approved, stated property taxes would not be used to pay-off the Qwest.

The budget was ultimately passed due to a vote switch by councilman Franklin Thompson. He had opposed a property tax increase on an earlier proposal, but switched after the council refused his request to delay the vote a few days. City Attorney Paul Kratz said if the council didn't pass a budget that night, the timing might have prevented it from overriding veto's from the mayor.

Major revenue increases in the budget include:
- $2 million from satellite inspection fee
- $900,000 in property tax increase
- $300,000 from building and inspection fee increases

Major savings in the budget include:
- $1.5 million cut from fire department, equipment and civilian positions
- $1.3 million saved in 2.5 day furloughs for all city employees, including police and fire
- $1 million taken from police cruisers
- $1 million taken from fund that pay's companies who create jobs

Mayor Jim Suttle will review the budget and present any line-item veto's by next week. The council can override veto's during its Sept. 15 meeting. The city must have a balanced budget for the state by Sept. 18.

Couple fired on in bed
Omaha Police are investigating the Sept. 2 shooting of an Omaha man inside his apartment near 108th and Maple . Anthony Muller, 21, told police he was laying in bed with his girlfriend when two suspects kicked in his door and fired a shot in their direction. Muller suffered a gunshot wound and was taken by private vehicle to Methodist Hospital. His injuries are not considered to be life threatening.

Teen shot in North-O
Kimani Houston, 18, told Omaha Police he was walking near 20th and Lake when he was shot. Houston said he didn't see who fired the shots. He was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with injuries not considered to be life threatening.

Child porn creator arrested
A Lincoln man was arrested Sept. 1 for sexually abusing and photographing two girls for more than seven years. Investigators said Leslie Agnew, 44, began abusing one girl when she was 9. Agnew faces two-counts of third degree sexual assault.

Thermal imaging results in pot bust
A marijuana grow house was raided by Lincoln Police after an anonymous tip and thermal imaging evidence led to a search warrant. Thermal readings of the house showed abnormal heat and electricity radiating from the basement. More than 100 plants at various stages of growth were confiscated. No arrests were announced.