Hall County Commissioners had a special budget meeting Aug. 21, (Carol Bryant, Central Nebraska Today)
GRAND ISLAND – Hall County Commissioners reached a preliminary number for property tax-asking during a special budget meeting in the afternoon Aug. 21.
This is a preliminary estimate: Per $100,000 in valuation, a property owner will pay $407.34. This compares to $387.30 per $100,000 in valuation a year ago. That is a $20.04 increase.
The major discussion during the Aug. 21 meeting concerned whether to use casino funds to reduce the amount of the bond for the Hall County Courthouse.
“This is what it is made for is property tax relief,” said Commissioner Gary Quandt, who brought the issue before the Commissioners. “I think the taxpayers deserve this.”
Commissioner Jane Richardson said of the people to whom she’s talked, they did not think that applying casino funds to reduce the bond amount would bring much property tax relief.
Commissioner Scott Sorensen said, “People are thoroughly disappointed in the (amount of) casino money.”
After discussion, commissioners voted 4-3 to apply $819,000 in casino funding to reduce the Hall County Courthouse bond. Commissioners Ron Peterson, Karen Bredthauer, Scott Sorensen, and Gary Quandt voted for the motion, which Quandt made. Commissioners Jane Richardson, Butch Hurst, and Pam Lancaster voted against the motion.
