Counties could terminate assessment contracts

Lawmakers gave first-round approval April 5 to a bill that would change county assessment contract provisions.

Legislation passed in 2009 required nine counties to reassume their property tax assessment functions from the state property tax administrator and assume all county assessment contracts until the expiration of the contract.

LB55, introduced by Lexington Sen. John Wightman, would allow county officials to either continue or terminate such contracts.

Wightman said the property tax administrator had entered into a 10-year software contract agreement before 2009. The bill would permit counties to terminate such contracts and make their own decisions about the software used for the operation of the assessment function, he said.

The bill advanced from general file on a 32-0 vote.