Western Nebraska Taxpayers Association

LINCOLN (AP) — The sluggish economy won’t keep most government entities in Nebraska from collecting more property taxes this year.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue said Friday that the total amount of property taxes levied in all counties rose by more than 5.6 percent, or $153 million, from 2008 to 2009.

Property owners will pay their 2009 taxes this year.

The average tax rates actually decreased in most counties. But they weren’t lowered enough to offset the increase in property values.

Tax collections are expected to decrease in just four counties: Valley, Blaine, Lancaster and Loup.

Tax collections will increase by 10 percent or more in 25 of the state’s 93 counties.

Copyright ©2010 Omaha World-Herald®.

By Tom Shaw
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

 The tax man is coming.

And most homeowners in Douglas and Sarpy Counties will see higher property tax bills than the last time he came knocking.

Schools and local governments raised tax rates this fall to make up for lost revenue from the economic slump or to pay for growing expenses.

The rate hikes, in combination with flat property valuations, led to higher bills.
 

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By Joe Dejka
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
November 20, 2009

Landowners challenging the constitutionality of a new tax system for schools in Douglas and Sarpy Counties are one step closer to getting an audience with the Nebraska's highest court.

In a rare move, the Nebraska Supreme Court has given conditional approval that allows the Sarpy County Farm Bureau and eight other property owners to file directly with the court a lawsuit challenging the common levy system of Douglas and Sarpy County learning community.

The order, signed by Chief Justice Michael Heavican, means the plaintiffs will not have to start their legal challenge in the lower courts.

The court attached a condition, however: The parties in the lawsuit must agree to the underlying facts of the case by Dec. 2.

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