Nebraska property tax reform presents challenges for county officials

FAIRBURY, Neb. -- The Nebraska Legislature is looking to continue the drive for Nebraska Property Tax reform, but it is putting county officials in tough situations. 

Like in Jefferson County, where citizens receive services like 24/7 advanced life support, courthouse services, law enforcement and county road repairs. 

Jefferson County Commissioner Mark Schoenrock said he supports the efforts to reduce taxes, but it makes it tricky for where the lost revenue would come from after the reform. 

Schoenrock said it raises the question of how those county services will still be able to be provided with less tax revenue. 

“Just about every survey that has been taken, just in our personal experience, Nebraskans value those services that are provided by local government and they don’t want those to be cut," said Schoenrock. "And I think there is the challenge that we have, if we do cut or eliminate those taxes, then where does the revenue come from to provide those services.”

It is not certain as to when decisions will be made in Lincoln about the proposed bills, but Schoenrock said citizens can stay up to date every day through nebraskalegislature.gov.