City levy steady while college, county decline

Friday, August 29, 2014

McCOOK, Neb. -- Unlike their counterparts at McCook Community College and Red Willow County, the City of McCook plans to maintain its property tax levy despite the recent jump in property tax valuations.

Red Willow County Commissioners announced last week they would drop the county's tax levy from 41 cents to 31 cents per $100 of tax valuation in their 2014-15 budget after citing a "huge, huge" increase in the county's valuation.

McCook Community College similarly announced this week their levy would decrease a third of a cent per $100 valuation, the seventh consecutive year college officials said increasing valuations have allowed them to reduce the levy.

Increasing tax valuations don't seem to be outpacing the city budget though, the McCook City Council approved last week to set the city property tax levy at the same rate it has been since 2002. The city not only kept with their practice of benefitting from increasing valuations and related revenue, but also indicated they would consider raising the levy next year to avoid losing an estimated $60,000 in state assistance.

The current fiscal year is on target to meet early projections that the property tax revenue would increase by a little more than $63,000 ahead of prior year and the City of McCook's preliminary 2014-15 budget predicts an increase of another $54,296 in the coming year.

The McCook City Council will consider second round approval of their 2014-15 city budget and employee pay plan on Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., at the McCook Municipal Center.

An ordinance increasing residential and commercial trash collection rates will also be presented for approval on its second of three required readings. The fee for residential trash collection will increase from $19 to $21.50 per month. The increase is broken down into an added $1 for recycling fees and a $1.50 increase for collection and disposal.

Commercial waste will increase from $57.50 per ton to $60 per ton.

The increase in anticipated to result in a combined $103,000 in additional revenue to the city's Sewer Enterprise Fund.

Other items on Tuesday's consent and regular agenda:

* An addendum to the contract between the city and the McCook Humane Society, increasing the cap amount the city will pay for their utilities by just shy of $4,000 annually, will be considered. The increase will bring the total budgeted support from the city to $48,000 annually.

The shelter's utility cap will increase from $8,180 to $12,000 annually, stemming from a $3,820 increase in their utility expense.

* City Council will consider approval of an ordinance establishing a $48,636 special fund required by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality for financial assurances related to remedial action at the city's old landfill. The former landfill property is located just north of the City of McCook Transfer Station.

* The city's annual Treasurer's Report for the 2013-14 fiscal year completed through July 31 will be received and filed. The report indicates the city has more than $10 million in public funds at McCook National Bank.

* A recommendation from city staff to select W Design and Associates to provide engineering services at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport for planned improvements will be considered. The firms services for the airport improvement projects will not exceed $100,000 through 2018, according to the meeting agenda.

* Renewal of the city's agreement with SourceGas Distribution LLC, pertaining to their rights to construct and operate within city limits, will be considered. The contract will extend the agreement from a previous 10 year term to a 25 year term and increase the franchise fee from $.009 per therm to $.018 per therm.

* A request from AmFirst Bank to use Kelley Park, the city walking trail and portions of the former Broken Tee Golf Course for an annual 5k cross country run will be considered. The event is scheduled from 4-10 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2014.

* A resolution appointing City Manager Nate Schneider as the city's representative and reappointing City Councilman Jerry Calvin as the city's alternate representative on the Public Alliance for Community Energy Board of Directors will be considered. Council will also consider approval of Schneider's appointment to represent the city on the REWARD Board of Directors.

* An Application for Manager to be submitted to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for Anton Spilinek, related to the Knights of Columbus on East 9th Street, will be considered for council approval.

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  • The huge increase in valuation was in ag land and the city has no ag land. Comparing the differences is like apples and oranges.

    -- Posted by dennis on Fri, Aug 29, 2014, at 4:00 PM
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