BEATRICE – Community college leaders and board members recently lined up to oppose a bill that would eliminate general fund property tax levy authority for the two-year schools.


Senator Curt Friesen sponsored LB 873, which had a hearing in the Revenue Committee, February 11th.  Southeast Community College President Dr. Paul Illich said having board members testify against the bill was important.


"This bill was not just about finding a replacement. It was about what you would lose in terms of the flexibility and local control...and all the things that come with being able to be responsive when you have that local source of revenue. You can respond to the specific needs, of that particular college or service area."


Other testimony came from community college administrators. Illich said one non-traditional student from SCC also testified in opposition to the measure.
"She talked about not only her journey but the fact that she just became a first-time homeowner...and that would not have happened, she said to the senators...had it not been for SCC. So, not only did that allow her to buy a home, but now she gets to contribute to the property tax pie to help others like her, to go to SCC."


The proposal, starting with this next fiscal year, would restrict community colleges to a property tax levy of up to two cents for capital construction projects or to pay off bonds. SCC Board Chairman Neal Stenberg says the outcome would be simple.


"If LB 873 would pass, it would result in the eventual closure of all six community colleges."


The proposal offers no specific replacement source of revenue for college operations. It’s not clear whether the Revenue Committee has voted on advancement of the bill to the floor.


Southeast Community College currently levies just under nine-and-a-half cents per hundred dollars valuation…with two-cents of that funding capital construction projects.