The city clerk is Elizabeth Butler. The City of Omaha administers twelve departments, including finance, police, human rights, libraries and planning."Departments" , City of Omaha. Retrieved August 10, 2012. The Omaha City Council is the legislative branch and has 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. Nebraska's constitution grants the option of home rule to cities with more than 5,000 residents, meaning they may operate under their own charters. Omaha is one of only three cities in Nebraska to use this option, out of 17 eligible.Senning, J.P. (2007) "What municipal home rule means today: Nebraska's three home rule charters", National Municipal Review, 219. pp 564–568. The City of Omaha is considering consolidating with Douglas County government.Powell, C. (2002) "Draft: A Brief Analysis of City/County Government Consolidations", City of Omaha. Retrieved 8/29/07.
