County decides fate of tax protests, works on next budget

McCOOK, Neb. — County officials turned down the majority of property tax protests Monday before continuing the challenging task of deciding how to allocate those property tax dollars.

During a board of equalization meeting, commissioners approved several tax roll corrections. When considering tax protests, they largely followed the recommendations of County Assessor Kristi Korell and her staff. Most protests were denied because property prices were consistent with recent sales of similar properties. However, some valuations were decreased due to buildings being torn down or removed, and others were adjusted for incorrect valuations.

Property owners have 30 days to appeal decisions to the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission.

Two expenditures were declared emergencies, as they involved armor coating that could be completed while the contractor was in the area in early August. The projects included two miles of Drive 717 south of Indianola and about a quarter-mile of armor coating on the fairgrounds, from East Fifth to West Q.

Commissioner Randy Dean received approval to arrange repairs for rusted parts of jail cells. The repairs are estimated to cost $56,000 to $60,000 and will take four to six weeks. During this period, transferring and housing prisoners in other jails is expected to cost an additional $60,000, bringing the total to approximately $120,000. This project was also designated an emergency and will be coordinated with the sheriff’s office.

Dean also explained that an agreement with Great Plains Communications to waive road occupancy fees was a one-time situation. The agreement became irrelevant because the company did not succeed in its bid to provide fiber optic service near McCook. Although Cambridge Telephone requested a similar exemption, commissioners decided that normal fees would apply to future applications.

Items on the consent agenda included surplus items from the Household Hazardous Waste facility, a letter of support for the Southwest Weed Management program, a highway buy-back certification form, an internal agreement on Region II Human Services, and the designation of the Nebraska State Print Shop as a vendor for “pink postcards” if a public hearing is required.

The board approved $469,528.26 in accounts payable, including payroll this week.

Commissioners spent the remainder of the meeting, which adjourned at 3:15 p.m., reviewing budget requests from various department heads, starting with salary requirements that will shape the rest of the budget.

The board plans a special meeting on Monday, July 29 at 8:30 a.m. to further discuss budget details.