State audits result in $68,000 tax bill for 80 county homeowners

Annual tax sale yields shortest property list in years

Commissioners pursue investment contract to maximize county returns

County seeks $17 million federal transit grant as fuel prices spike

New state zoning laws require strict 90-day deadlines

Search continues for permanent emergency operating center

County to discontinue commercial alarm monitoring amid liability concerns

Public defender race draws no candidates

State audits result in $68,000 tax bill for 80 county homeowners

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - Eighty Scotts Bluff County residents will owe a combined $68,000 in back taxes following an aggressive state audit of homestead exemptions over the last three years. The Nebraska state audits, which cross-referenced applications with Internal Revenue Service records, found discrepancies in the income information provided by taxpayers. Affected homeowners will owe an average of $800 each and will receive notification letters shortly; they will have 30 days to pay the corrected tax statements before incurring interest.

Annual tax sale yields shortest property list in years

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - The county's annual public tax sale saw a strong turnout from out-of-state investment groups, though the list of available properties was the shortest in recent history at just 411 parcels. A newly implemented state statute now guarantees investors a $150 fee automatically added to the tax certificate to cover the cost of formally notifying property owners that a tax sale has been taken out on their land.

Commissioners pursue investment contract to maximize county returns

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - The board of commissioners voted unanimously to allow County Treasurer Heather Hauschild to negotiate a contract with cashVest by three+one, a third-party financial analysis service. For an $18,000 annual fee, the company will analyze the county's cash flow and banking relationships to identify opportunities for higher interest yields without sacrificing liquidity. The contract comes with a 1-to-1 return on investment guarantee, which officials hope will generate significant additional revenue as the county braces for a tight budget year.

County seeks $17 million federal transit grant as fuel prices spike

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - The county submitted a bid for a $17 million federal grant to fund a new transit facility, which could be 100 percent federally funded if awarded by the June 28 deadline. The push for federal transit funding comes as the county grapples with a recent spike in local fuel prices. Officials noted a 34-cent jump in the county's latest fuel delivery, bringing the cost to $2.57 per gallon, prompting discussions about potentially locking in a long-term fuel contract if prices do not stabilize.

New state zoning laws require strict 90-day deadlines

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - Commissioners will be required to undergo new training following the passage of Nebraska Legislative Bill 663, which revamps state zoning and platting regulations. The newly signed legislation imposes strict statutory deadlines, requiring local planning commissions and county boards to issue decisions on zoning applications within 90 days. Officials noted the law is designed to prevent local infrastructure and building projects from stalling indefinitely.

Search continues for permanent emergency operating center

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - Scotts Bluff County is still searching for a permanent Emergency Operating Center (EOC) after a proposal to use a local school building fell through due to a $200 daily rent demand and security access concerns. Emergency management is currently operating out of a temporary basement location with poor cell service and utilizing a mobile command unit. The board is now pivoting back to its primary plan, which involves seeking future budget funds or grants to remodel the first floor of the old county jail into a combined 911 center and EOC.

County to discontinue commercial alarm monitoring amid liability concerns

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - The Scotts Bluff County Communications Center will stop monitoring private commercial fire and burglar alarms by June 1, citing severe liability risks and outdated dial-up equipment. Discontinuing the service will result in an estimated $85,000 to $90,000 loss in annual county revenue and forces roughly 100 local businesses to find third-party alarm receiving centers. Chairman Mark Harris debated the decision, expressing strong concern that local businesses are losing a valuable, direct line to emergency dispatchers, while communications officials maintained that modernizing the center to proper alarm-monitoring standards would cost the county thousands of dollars it does not have.

Public defender race draws no candidates

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY, Neb. - No non-incumbents filed to run for Scotts Bluff County offices, and no candidates filed for the county public defender position at all. Because the position will be left vacant on the ballot, the board of commissioners will eventually be required to advertise the position, interview candidates and appoint a new public defender. Meanwhile, the three county commissioner seats up for re-election are the only local races that will see contested primary battles.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us