Budget Hearings Begin

By Gordon HopkinsBudget hearings have begun in Nebraska. These hearings are required of local governments and other jurisdictions, including counties, cities, villages and school districts, to allow the public to provide input on the budget process. This year’s budget season is proving to be controversial, coming as it does the heels of still-simmering anger over increased property valuations and a failed attempt by Governor Jim Pillen to provide a 40 percent reduction in property taxes.News that Jefferson County taxpayers may see an increase of 3.47 percent to the tax request has resulted in an online furor. Concerned about potential misinformation and confusion on social media, County Commissioner Mark Schoenrock explained via email, “The overall levy rate (county, county PWF highway bond and ambulance) was DECREASED by the Jefferson County board from .420675 to .381305 or a DECREASE of 9.4%,” wrote Schoenrock in an email to FJN. “Applying the decreased levy rate to the increased valuation rate resulted in an overall TAX ASKING increase of 3.47% for county, county PWF highway bond and ambulance.”Tax asking or tax request is the actual dollar amount that an entity is requesting to balance their budget. That is different from the mill levy, which is the assessed property tax rate used by local governments and other jurisdictions to raise revenue to cover annual expenses. The proposed increase to the tax request is expected to bring in an estimated $273,889.It is also different from the property valuation, which is the value the county assessor places on property and is based on market value.The commissioner pointed out that the county levy, alone, decreased from .325166 to .298612, a decrease of 8.2 percent. The county valuation increased 13.36 percent. The ambulance district valuation increased 16.21 percent. Despite this decrease, expenses have continued to rise, mostly in the form of inflation and increased wages, forcing the county to spend more for the same services. Commissioner Schoenrock wrote, “It is the responsibility of the county board to ensure sufficient revenue to fund all Jefferson County governmental functions in a cost efficient and prudent manner. An increase of 3.47% is very reasonable given the significant inflationary pressures in increased costs for personnel, insurance, equipment, supplies, parts and services that are required to provide all of the essential county government services that serve Jefferson County citizens.”

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