Madison County Budget hearing set for Sept. 19

MADISON, Neb. -- The end of the fiscal year for most local entities is coming to a close.

With the 2023-24 fiscal year quickly approaching governing entities are managing their budgets for the next year. Madison County is in this same position and has been hard at work on its proposed budget.

At their meeting Tuesday, commissioners were able to get a figure for the county's property valuation growth, which will help them to set their tax levies.

For the last several meetings, the commissioners have spent their meetings going over each budget item and making adjustments.

Based on the current proposed budget, Madison County is looking at a budget of $48,744,506 for the 2023-24 fiscal year. It's an over $2 million increase from last year's budget. 

Madison County Commissioner Troy Uhlir said their current ask will not require them to attend the property tax open meeting later this year.

While the budget is increasing, their estimated levy is going down to $0.366317, per $100 of assessed property value.

It's a decreased ask from last year, however, Uhlir said a lower Levy can be deceiving. Uhlir pointed to property values being potentially higher for taxpayers than last year, which would mean a higher ask. Uhlir used himself as an example.

"Just because we reduce the levy, I think I'm still, based on my valuation increase with the drop, I think my county portion still going to be about $24-$25 a year more, the way it currently sits," Uhlir said. "So, there's some deceit in everyone getting hung up on the levy."

These values, both the levy and budget, are subject to change, as the commissioners continue to work on their budget. A budget hearing will also take place on Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Madison County Courthouse.