NTF worksheet: douglascounty64.doc. 9-19.
NEBRASKA TAXPAYERS FOR FREEDOM WORKSHEET: ON DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD BUDGET PAY INCREASE, SEPT. 10, 2019.
County CEO Lorenz: The budget increases the property tax levy by 0.7%, while total appropriations in the budget rise by 4.2%. The property tax increase itself is 5.3%. A significant increase in the cost of the county criminal justice system, higher than the inflation rate. This expense is the major item driving up county costs. County commissioners should discuss incarceration alternatives or face significant tax hikes.
Commissioner Cavanaugh countered that there would be a 13% hike in the property tax on all county residents with this budget because of no-bid contracts to construct a new juvenile justice facility. Said that the county could operate without a tax increase, that the justice center expansion should have a vote of the people.
Commissioner Boyle: $1.1 million spent in overtime costs for the Corrections Dept. LB 605, passed by the Legislature, allows the state to release criminals who then commit crimes locally and go to county jail at county taxpayer expense. The state gives no funding to handle these inmates. The state should pay ALL local criminal justice expenses. A legislative bill would be needed.
Commissioner Borgeson: Agreed with Commissioner Boyle on criminal justice and believes that state should pay for the increasing costs of local long-term care services. Rehabilitated people then can pay taxes.
Voting for the budget that increases our property taxes: Commissioners Borgeson, Boyle, Duda, Kraft, Morgan, Rodgers. Voting with taxpayers: Commissioner Cavanaugh.
Voting to raise commissioner pay by 2.5%: Commissioners Borgeson, Duda, Kraft, Morgan, Rodgers. Voting with taxpayers: Commissioners Boyle and Cavanaugh.