Property Taxes and Levies Property taxes are a levy from and a primary source of income for our school district 1

Property taxesProperty taxes are a primary source of revenue for school districts. They can also be a significant expense for homeowners, year in and year out. Even after you've paid off your mortgage, property taxes remain. Tax rates are established as a result of a budgetary process. Each governmental agency provides a budget that will cover the cost of maintaining their respective agency for their fiscal year. The budget requirements are totaled and that amount is divided by the total assessed value of property for that subdivision to establish the tax rate. The tax rate is stated as a percent or amount due for each $100 of assessed value. The county assessor is not responsible for establishing the tax rate. 2 Property Tax

How are Property Taxes Calculated? Your property tax bill is based on the assessed value of your property, any exemptions you qualify for and a property tax rate. By law, assessors are required to do statistical valuations annually. Personal property is defined as tangible, depreciable income producing property including machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures. The assessed value of your property is determined on March 19 each year. In Scottsbluff, the assessor finds replacement cost new - less the depreciation - plus the land value. Then they establish market areas and complete a statistical sales analysis to arrive at a value that is within the acceptable ranges which is % of the market value. 3

Property Tax Uses Property taxes pay for things like public schools, community colleges, counties (parks and recreation, local government employees’ salaries, jail, communications or 911) and cities (libraries, parks and recreation, sanitation, sewer, police and fire protection, roads and other local needs such as mosquito control). Each of these items can have its own percentage rate that is multiplied by the assessed value of your property to determine a portion of your bill. The taxes you owe for each item are totaled to determine your final property tax bill. 4

What Affects Your Property Tax Bill In addition to the assessed value of your property, your bill is based on what your property is used for (residential, agricultural, apartment, office, commercial, vacant land and so on). Farm ground,for example, has an acceptable range 75% of the market value. Some property, like land and buildings used for religious or educational purposes, may be exempt. This means that the State reimburses for their taxes. Different uses may be taxed at different rates, but taxation should be at a uniform rate - that is, the multiplier should be the same for all properties in the same category. Within that category, factors such as your property's size, construction type, age and location can affect your tax rate. 5

Who can levy taxes Schools - $1.5 or override by vote Colleges ESU County City Fire Department Airport Cemetery NRD (National Resource Division Parking Road Sanitation 6 How can you protest your tax bill? You can protest your valuation by filing an appeal Attend the budget meetings and hearings of each of those that have authority to levy

What is the levy for SBPS Fund2010/ /2012Difference General Fund Special Building Bond QCPUF Total