State may end help in assessing Neb. property

Regional News

Sen. John Wightman

By NATE JENKINS Associated Press Writer

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- The free ride nine Nebraska counties have received when it comes to assessing property values may be ending.

On Thursday, the Legislature gave first-round approval to a bill (LB121) from Sen. John Wightman of Lexington that in four years would essentially force all counties to have their own employees assess property for tax purposes.

Current law lets the state take over the costly function. Wightman says that by forcing all counties to do assessments, the state could eventually save almost $2.5 million a year.

The nine counties that rely on the state are Dakota, Dodge, Garfield, Harlan, Sherman, Keith, Saunders, Greeley and Hitchcock.

Supporters of Wightman's measure said the current law is applied unfairly.

Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney said Kearney County officials asked the state to take over property-assessment duties about a decade ago but were turned down by the state.

"I don't think that's fair," Hadley said. "I think it's been a great deal for these counties" that have been allowed to give up property-assessment duties.

Other counties that have been turned down include Loup and Furnas.

Lawmakers said state officials began turning down counties when it became clear how expensive the tasks would become.

Sen. Arnie Stuthman of Platte Center fought against the bill, saying counties might be forced to increase property taxes to pay for their own property assessors.

The bill would require counties to reimburse the state one-quarter of the costs of providing assessors next year, half the following year and three-quarters the third year. The fourth year, counties would be required to take over the task.

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