With a 3.6% property tax increase incoming for Lancaster County, local officials are looking at two other revenue streams to help cover additional costs: keno revenue and gaming tax funds.
Lancaster County’s salaries and benefits are going up by about $4.7 million compared to last year, which is leaving about a $1 million shortfall. Other government bodies are also grappling with employee health insurance increases. The State of Nebraska’s employee union said earlier this year that state employees will see a 15% increase in insurance premiums. And Cherry County commissioners struggled this summer to shore up its budget to deal with rising employee health insurance costs.
To offset the salary and benefits increase, Lancaster County is seeking a 2% allowable property tax increase and a 1.6% property tax increase due to prior year growth – amounting to about a $3.6 million increase in property taxes…