OMAHA, Neb. --
Mayor Jim Suttle said that half of the city's 2009 $9.5 million budget shortfall is linked to the city's fire department.
Suttle said that a large number of firefighters turning in claims for sick and leave time played a major factor in the department's $4.7 million contribution to the shortfall.
Suttle's office said fire department accountants will now report to directly to the city's finance director. It's part of an overall shift to performance-based budgeting in all departments.
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