Tax changes a 'good sign' of Norfolk growth
Norfolk is growing, which means an end to the occupation tax and more projects in the works.
By News Channel NebraskaNORFOLK -- Norfolk will be seeing slightly cheaper bills at restaurants and hotels this winter.
The city's occupation tax ends in November, ten years earlier than planned, according to the city's finance officer, Randy Gates. The tax had been started in 2010 to cover costs for ballfields at Ta Ha Zouka Park, the construction of Aquaventure Park, and a few other park upgrades.
Gates said the city knew they were being conservative about how long it would take to pay for the park projects, but he did not expect it to be paid off so soon. He said it's "decidedly" a sign of Norfolk's growth.
"For instance, this year it's 12% over the previous year. That's kind of an unfair comparison because of the pandemic but in general, that occupation tax has grown nicely," he said.
Other tax changes to the city include the annexed land to pay sales taxes starting April first.
"It [will be] a fairly unique feature in this part of the country where you'll be able to do whitewater rafting in town," he said.
Gates says he is also excited to finance a gentle waterfall in Johnson Park. Construction is set to start as early as January of 2022.