The Sarpy County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve the county’s budget for the Fiscal Year 2022.
The County’s $241.5 million budget invests in key needs of the fastest growing county in the state, including a new correctional center, mental health initiatives and major road improvements, while holding the county’s property tax levy flat.
“The growth we’ve seen in Sarpy County over the past several years shows no signs of slowing down, which is why this budget invests so heavily in the future. We’re tackling new road projects across the county and building a new correctional center – and we’re doing it without raising the levy,” Sarpy County Board Chair Don Kelly said.
“We recognize that keeping the levy flat does not mean some residents won’t see a tax increase, since the average property valuation increase in Sarpy County was 4% this year. No one wants to pay more in taxes, including me. But Sarpy County citizens deserve great infrastructure, a safe community and a very high quality of life. This budget accomplishes that and provides our citizens with a transparent and honest assessment of how we are spending their hard-earned money,” Kelly added.
The budget includes $36.3 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which can be used for eligible costs through Dec. 31, 2026.
Major projects funded in the budget include:
- $20 million for road projects, which is in addition to $40 million in bond funds available for road projects;
- $19 million for construction of the Sarpy County Correctional Center, which is in addition to $41 million in bond funds available for this project; and
- $1.25 million for remodeling of the administration wing of the courthouse, which is necessary because of the correctional center construction.
“Sound, fiscally conservative planning has put us in a position that allows us to move forward with these once-in-a-generation projects, which will benefit the county now and well into the future” said Commissioner David Klug, Vice-Chair of the Sarpy County Board.
Sarpy County hasn’t raised its levy since 2008. In fact, the County Board lowered the levy in 2015 to 29.69 cents per $100 of valuation, where it will remain. At that rate, the County expects to collect $57.9 million in property taxes, which means approximately 76% of the budget comes from sources other than property taxes.
A Sarpy County resident who lives in a home valued at $200,000 pays $593.80 annually for all County services, including the 911 center, Sheriff’s Office, Public Works and other County departments dedicated to serving residents.
OTHER ACTION TAKEN BY THE BOARD
- The Board approved the County’s One and Six Year Road Program, which calls for spending $60 million over the next year on key roads projects, including the construction of the CONNECTSarpy – West Sarpy road program and the design of the Platteview Road expansion from Highway 75 to Highway 50. See a comprehensive list of projects here.
- Issued a proclamation recognizing the community partners who served on the Sarpy County Complete County Committee. The committee planned and implemented outreach efforts to publicize the importance of the Census and encouraged every person in Sarpy County to participate.