News

Aug 02, 2023

Stothert's budget proposal eliminates in

After the City of Omaha for decades has employed a full-time, in-house lobbyist to represent the city’s interests before the Nebraska Legislature, Mayor Jean Stothert is proposing to ax the position

After the City of Omaha for decades has employed a full-time, in-house lobbyist to represent the city’s interests before the Nebraska Legislature, Mayor Jean Stothert is proposing to ax the position in favor of contracting with a lobbying firm.

The mayor’s budget proposal released last week eliminates the lobbyist position, which has been held for the last 29 years by Jack Cheloha. In what the Mayor’s Office terms as a cost-saving move, the city is instead proposing to contract with the Omaha-based Kelley Plucker lobbying firm.

City Attorney Matt Kuhse said Omaha was the only municipality in the state with its own internal lobbyist, and he said most cities of comparable size nationally also don’t employ one.

The city is budgeting $150,000 for the outside firm. Cheloha was paid just over $170,000 to serve as lobbyist and deputy city attorney, a figure Kuhse said was closer to $225,000 when including the cost of benefits, mileage and office expenses.

Moving to use of a contract lobbyist will be more efficient and effective, and Stothert believes “it’s in the best interest of the city,” Kuhse said.

Cheloha, who was informed of the plan by Kuhse a year ago, said he was given no reason for the change other than a desire “to go in another direction.”

The 58-year-old attorney said that with the decision, he will be pushed into retirement at the end of this year, a year before he intended. But beyond any personal impact, he had doubts whether a contract firm can better represent the city’s interests.

Kelley Plucker has more than two dozen clients, including some that at times can be in conflict with the city’s position on issues. Among them are the Omaha police union, Douglas County, and Big Red Keno, the city’s keno operator.

Typically when a contract lobbyist has clients on two sides of an issue, the lobbyist chooses to represent one, with the other forced to seek other representation on that issue.

“How can you represent the best interest of the City of Omaha and your client when you are pulled in so many different directions?” Cheloha said. “I just think it’s in the best interest of Omaha and their citizens to have someone dedicated full time to the city and their interest.”

Kuhse downplayed the significance of potential conflicts. Any conflicts that do arise will be handled between the city and the firm, he said, and they will also be addressed in the contract with the firm.

Kelley Plucker has previously represented the city. After a bidding process, it was hired a year ago to augment the city’s lobbying effort during 2023, paid $20,500 during the session. The firm was also paid $11,600 for work during 2022 on behalf of the Omaha streetcar project.

The principals behind Kelley Plucker are longtime Omaha lobbyist Mike Kelley, his son Sean Kelley and Julia Plucker, all of them attorneys.

Kuhse said the City Council is aware of the mayor’s proposal to eliminate the lobbyist position. If the budget is approved, a service contract between the city and the firm will later go before the council.

Martha Stoddard of The World-Herald’s Lincoln Bureau contributed to this report.

A shelf cloud can be seen from a storm that brought heavy rain and high winds to Omaha early on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Thailand's Ratchanok Intanon serves in a women's singles quarterfinal match of the badminton 2023 U.S. Open at the Mid-America Center on Friday, July 14, 2023.

The US's Presley Smith hits the shuttlecock behind Allison Lee in a mixed doubles quarterfinal match at the badminton 2023 U.S. Open at the Mid-America Center on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Lin Chun-yi, representing Chinese Taipei, takes to the air to hit a shuttlecock during a men's singles quarterfinal match at the badminton 2023 U.S. Open at the Mid-America Center on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn returns the shuttlecock during a men's singles quarterfinals match of the badminton 2023 U.S. Open at the Mid-America Center on Friday, July 14, 2023.

Sunlight creeps in as a worker welds the dome to the building after the Raising of the Dome All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church near 193rd & Harney streets on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Bishop Constantine of Sassima, left, and Fr. Alexander Lukashonok watch the Raising of the Dome for All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church near 193rd & Harney streets on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Workers weld the dome to the building after the Raising of the Dome All Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church near 193rd & Harney streets on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

From left, Jerry Carlson, Judi gaiashkibos, Zahn McClarnon, Loretta Jordan and Tammy Rohde visit an old dairy barn on the site of the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School, which operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Names and other messages from the children can still be seen written on and carved into the wooden beams of the barn. Photographed in Genoa, Neb., on Monday.

Loretta Jordan, of Omaha, gets a closer look as she and her son, Zahn McClarnon and Judi gaiashkibos, the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, visit an old dairy barn on the site of the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School, which operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Names and other messages from the children can still be seen written on and carved into the wooden beams of the barn. Photographed in Genoa, Neb., on Monday.

Crowds gather during the Independence Day Celebration with Omaha Symphony Concert at Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha on Wednesday.

The Omaha Symphony performs during the Independence Day Celebration at Gene Leahy Mall in Omaha on Wednesday.

Kaden Burton, 5, plays in the water during the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department Hydrant Party in Omaha on Monday. Hydrant parties are held at various locations across the city every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Participants play a water game during the 63rd annual Fourth of July parade in Ralston on Tuesday.

Johnathan Lawson (2) dribbles down the court during the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball practice at the Championship Center in Omaha on Tuesday.

Trey Alexander (23) shoots a free throw during the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball practice at the Championship Center in Omaha on Tuesday.

Steven Greg Donsbach was killed in his home located at 9927 Essex Drive. Matthew Briggs, a person of interest, was shot and killed by police after a pursuit in Council Bluffs.

A photograph of Mildred Lowe with her mother taken in 1924. Mildred died at 12 years old while attending the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School, which operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her niece, Carolyn Fiscus, a member of the Winnebago tribe, came out to observe as archeologists with History Nebraska excavate a potential burial site for children who died while at the school. Photographed near the site of the school, bordering the Loup River Power Canal in Genoa, Neb., on Tuesday.

Jarell Grant, Zahn McClarnon and Mark Parker monitor and observe as Brittany Walter, a forensic anthropologist and consultant with History Nebraska, excavates a potential burial site for children who died while at the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Photographed near the site of the school, bordering the Loup River Power Canal in Genoa, Neb., on Tuesday.

A child holds a sign "Farmers for Trump" as former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at the MidAmerica Center on Friday, July 07, 2023.

A worker steams the wrinkles out of American flags before a campaign rally by Former President Donald Trump at the MidAmerica Center on Friday, July 07, 2023.

Former President Donald Trump throws "Famers for Trump" hats to the crowd during a campaign rally at the MidAmerica Center on Friday, July 07, 2023.

Omaha firefighters look for a man who was one of two swept into manhole during a rainstorm in downtown Omaha on Friday, July 07, 2023 The was carried through the sewer about a mile away and was found trapped behind a metal grate covering a culvert, fire officials said. An Omaha Fire Department crew cut the grate and got the man free,

Sylvia Black poses for a portrait in her garden shed at her Papillion home on Thursday, July 06, 2023.

A view of downtown Omaha from the Farnam Pier at Heartland of America Park on Wednesday.

Construction continues on the playground at Lewis and Clark Landing in Omaha on Wednesday.

Ducks swim in Carter Lake on Tuesday.

Nyle Brockman skates at Mabrey Park in Carter Lake on Tuesday.

Justin Peacock, co-owner of Delta Electric, stands for a portrait at his home in Cedar Creek on Friday. Peacock installed solar panels on his roof in 2019.

Scott Amlee walks his dog Tiana at Walnut Grove Park in Omaha on Tuesday.

[email protected], 402-444-1130, twitter.com/henrycordes

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Reporter - Metro News