Property tax assistance proposed

The Revenue Committee heard testimony Feb. 27 on a bill that would provide state funding to counties and cities.

LB370, introduced by Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, would create two separate funds that would reduce the amount of property tax counties and municipalities collect from taxpayers. Lathrop said the elimination of state aid to counties has increased the property tax burden on citizens.

“Without question, the number one issue to my constituents is property taxes,” he said. “This is my attempt to steer aid back to cities and counties and ease the property tax burden.”

The bill would create the County Property Tax Assistance Program and the Municipality Property Tax Assistance Program and allow funds to be appropriated to them from the state’s general fund to reduce the amount of property tax collected.

Larry Dix, executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials, supported the bill, saying counties rely solely on property taxes to fund their operations.

“Twenty years ago, there was $46 million in state aid for counties,” he said. “We currently receive no state aid at the county level. This is an idea that will help us balance things out.”

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.