Southeast Community College Board votes to raise property taxes by 40 Percent

Property owners in southeast Nebraska could be seeing much higher property taxes for Southeast Community College (SCC) next year. The SCC Board of Governors recently voted to raise its property tax ask for next year by roughly 40 percent across the 15-county service area. This is an attempt by SCC to get more revenue in place before a legislative change to replace the community college property tax with state funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis goes into effect.

With the passage of LB 243 in 2023, the state will replace community college property tax revenues with state funding based upon where community colleges were for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. State funding that will automatically grow by 3.5 percent each year into the future, which eliminates any proclaimed need by SCC to raise taxes by 40 percent today to address future concerns.

For SCC, this means an estimated extra $20 million in revenue which will be stockpiled for “future needs.” Based on increasing valuations and the levy increase, Nebraska Farm Bureau believes this is not a prudent step for SCC. The windfall of roughly $20 million artificially inflates the state’s obligation for funding now and in future years. It is not too late for taxpayers to change this proposed course. The final decision will take place at SCC’s board of governors meeting on September 26.

It is not too late for taxpayers to change this proposed course. The final decision will take place at SCC’s board of governors meeting on September 26. Nebraska Farm Bureau is encouraging members to attend the required Truth in Taxation hearing on Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the City-County Building, Room 112, at 555 S. 10th St. Lincoln, Neb. and the SCC Budget meeting on Sept. 26 at the Milford Campus. We also encourage you to write the SCC Board of Governors to voice your concerns. Emails for each represenative can be found below. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and push back against the tax increases proposed by Southeast Commnity College!

IMPORTANT DATES

Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. – Truth in Taxation Joint Hearing

• County-City Building, 555 S. 10th Street, Room 112, Lincoln, Neb.

Sept. 26, 2 p.m. – SCC Budget Hearing

• Milford Campus, 600 State Street, Milford, Neb.

Sept. 26, 3 p.m. – SCC Regular Meeting to Vote on Budget

• Milford Campus, 600 State Street, Milford, Neb.

Contact the SCC Board of Governors