August 2024 League of Nebraska Municipalities
Legislature imposes new lid on municipalities
By Lash Chaffin, Utilities Section Director
On Aug. 20, the Legislature concluded their Special Session by adopting some budget cuts for state agencies and a bill that limits the ability of municipalities and counties to increase property tax.
The 108 th Legislature, Special Session, lasted 17 “legislative days” beginning July 25, 2024, and ending on Aug. 20. There were numerous ideas discussed including the removal of over 100 sales tax exemptions and taxation of items previously not subject to sales tax.
The Legislature failed to remove any sales tax exemptions and did not add sales tax to any additional items.
Instead, the Legislature adopted LB 34 imposing property tax caps on municipalities and counties. This will impact many Nebraska municipal departments including public works and parks/recreation. The new lid on property tax levy request authority will take effect on July 1, 2025. This lid will replace the current lid on “restricted funds.”
In general, for FY 25-26, a municipal property tax request will be limited by beginning with the prior year property tax plus an allowance for growth, plus an increase of zero percent OR the percentage of an inflation index known as the State and Local Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment Index, which
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typically averages around 4% although there are some years that it was much lower. The initial growth calculation includes increases in valuation from new construction, additions or other improvements to existing buildings, annexation, or changes in property use. There also are some provisions for tax increment financing valuation issues.
There are several exceptions where property taxes may exceed the amounts included in the calculation described above:
• The amount of property taxes budgeted for public safety services defined as crime prevention, offender detention, and firefighter, police, medical, ambulance, or other emergency services;
• The amount of property taxes budgeted for approved bonds;
• The amount of property taxes needed to respond to an emergency declared in the preceding year, as certified to the auditor;
• Unused property tax request authority from prior years. This is limited to 5%.
• The amount of property taxes budgeted in support of (a) a service relating to an imminent and significant threat to public safety that (i) was not previously provided by the political subdivision and (ii) is the subject of an agreement
LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL SESSION
or a modification of an existing agreement executed after the effective date of this act, whether provided by one of the parties to the agreement or by an independent joint entity or joint public agency; or (b) an interlocal agreement relating to public safety;
• The increase in property tax request authority approved by the legal voters; and
• The amount of property taxes budgeted for county attorneys and public defenders.
The League and the Nebraska Association of County Officials strongly opposed LB 34 which included this lid. There are many legal questions that remain to be answered on the details of how the language of LB 34 will be interpreted.
Although LB 34 passed with the emergency clause, the property tax caps on municipalities and counties will not take effect until July 1, 2025. Consequently, in FY 24-25, the “lid on restricted funds” in Chapter 13, Article 5 still applies to municipalities and counties.
Lash Chaffin
Utilities Section Newsletter
Milestone celebration recognition
Is your municipality or utility celebrating a historic milestone? We are encouraging members to provide any information on milestones being celebrated such as
75 years of operating the electric system. When was your water, wastewater, electric, power generation system established? When were facilities built, improve-
ments made, etc. If your utility is celebrating a 25, 50, 75, 100-year milestone, let the Utilities Section help you celebrate by recognizing it in the newsletter.
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Utilities Section Newsletter
SAFETY/HEALTH CORNER
Preventing animal and insect bites: Safety tips for utility workers
By Jackson Sash, Utilities Field Rep./Training Coordinator
Utility workers often find themselves in environments where encounters with wildlife, insects, and domestic animals are common. Whether working in remote areas, around vegetation, or in confined spaces, it is important to take precautions to avoid bites and stings that could lead to serious health issues or lost work time. Here is how to stay safe from rattlesnakes, bees, wasps, ticks, dogs, and other critters while on the job.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are a significant risk for utility workers, particularly in rural or undeveloped areas. These snakes often are found near rocks, tall grass, or under debris, making them a hazard during tasks such as line maintenance or inspections. To minimize the risk of snake bites:
- Stay on cleared paths and avoid walking through overgrown areas where snakes may be hiding.
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially when lifting objects like rocks, logs, or equipment that has been sitting undisturbed.
- Wear protective gear, such as snake-proof boots and long pants, when working in snake-prone areas.
- If you encounter a rattlesnake, do not try to handle or move it. Back away slowly and notify your team to avoid the area until it is safe.
Bees and wasps
Bees and wasps can become a major problem for utility workers, especially when working near structures, trees, or equipment where nests may be hidden. Stings can be painful and dangerous, particularly for those who are allergic. To protect yourself:
- Avoid strong scents such as perfumes, colognes, or heavily scented deodorants that may attract bees and wasps.
- Inspect work areas for nests before beginning tasks. This includes checking around poles, under eaves, and in vegetation
where hives might be located.
- Move slowly and deliberately if bees or wasps are present. Sudden movements can provoke an attack.
- If you are stung, and you have a known allergy, use your epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) immediately and seek medical attention.
Ticks
Ticks are commonly found in grassy or wooded areas, making utility workers, particularly those working in rural or overgrown areas, susceptible to bites. Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, so take the following precautions:
- Wear long sleeves and pants and tuck your pants into your boots or socks to prevent ticks from reaching your skin.
- Apply insect repellent with DEET to both skin and clothing.
- After working outdoors, conduct a thorough tick check on yourself and your clothing.
- If you find a tick, remove it using fine-tipped tweezers, pulling it out
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Utilities Section Newsletter
Preventing animal and insect bites
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Dogs
Utility workers often enter residential areas where encounters with dogs are common. Even friendly dogs can bite if they feel threatened or territorial. To avoid dog bites:
- Do not approach unfamiliar dogs, especially if they are unsupervised or appear agitated.
- Carry deterrents, such as a whistle or air horn, to scare off aggressive dogs if needed.
- Notify the homeowner or your supervisor if a dog poses a threat and wait for the situation to be secured before continuing your work.
Other animals and insects
Other animals and insects that can pose risks to utility workers include:
peak mosquito activity times.
- Spiders, like black widows or brown recluses, are often found in dark or undisturbed areas such as utility boxes, sheds, or under equipment. Use gloves and caution when reaching into these areas.
- If a dog approaches you, remain calm, avoid sudden movements, and do not make direct eye contact.
- Mosquitoes, which can be a significant nuisance in areas with standing water or after rainfall. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants, especially during
- Wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, and bats can carry rabies. Avoid contact with wildlife and report any encounters to your supervisor immediately.
Conclusion
As a utility worker, you are often in environments where animal
Continued on page 5 carefully to ensure the entire tick is removed.
Backflow training recap
This August, the Utilities Section hosted a series of backflow trainings across the State of Nebraska. These trainings were held to provide an opportunity for water operators who hold a Grade VI water operators license to earn up to five hours of continuing education. Additionally, the trainings were approved for five hours of Grade I-IV and WW continuing education credits, so we had a varied group of attendees. The first week of trainings were held in Beatrice and Wayne, and the second week of trainings were held in Ogallala and Grand Island. The
Preventing animal and insect bites
Continued from page 4
and insect bites are a real risk. By staying aware of your surroundings and following these preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of a bite or sting on the job. Remember, safety is your first priority and taking the time to protect yourself can prevent serious incidents and keep your workday running smoothly.
Beatrice training had 59 attendees with 27 different companies represented. The Wayne training had 37 attendees with 19 different companies represented. The Ogallala training had 19 attendees with 11 different companies represented. The Grand Island training had 54 attendees with 33 different companies represented. Each training followed the same agenda. We kicked off the training with a presentation and discussion about Title 179, NAC 22, which requires all public water systems to have an ongoing public information program no less than once per year. In this section, we discussed why this requirement exists, who should be contacted, what information should be included, and ways to distribute the information. After that, attendees were given a safety in confined spaces refresher. In this section, the focus was on testing backflow devices in confined spaces, though we did touch on many safety concerns from simple cuts to animal attacks. Following this, water operators learned the key components of an effective cross control program as required by the State of Nebraska. In the next section, operators had an
opportunity to discuss installation, testing, repairing, and the associated records of backflow devices. Finally, attendees had an opportunity to have a direct discussion with their drinking water field representative regarding news or updates on the state regulations.
Special thanks to Tony Martinez, Eric Cox, and Bret Gieselman from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and Marty Ostransky from the Midwest Assistance Program for attending and helping with the trainings. If you are interested in attending a backflow training with the League, we will host four more in August 2025. Watch for updates on the League training calendar in the new year for exact dates, locations, and agendas.
Service Awards
Remember to recognize your employees’ anniversary milestones. The League provides certificates for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65.
You can request them by emailing brendah@ lonm.org.
Retirements: Let us help recognize those municipal employees who are retiring after years of service.
Utilities Section Newsletter
2024 Training calendar
September
Sept. 10
Water Operator Training Workshop Fire Hall, Sidney
Sept. 11 Water Operator Training Workshop Water Shop, North Platte
Sept. 12 ......... Water Operator Training Workshop .......... Country Club, Alma
October
Oct. 2-4 ......... League Annual Conference ....................... Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln
Oct. 22
Oct. 23
Water Operator Training Workshop DHHS Facility – Room 110, Norfolk
Water Operator Training Workshop Community Meeting Room – 3rd Floor, Columbus
Oct. 24 ........... Water Operator Training Workshop .......... Christensen Field, Fremont
December
Dec. 10 .......... Water Operator Training Workshop .......... Lincoln
Dec. 12
Water Operator Training Workshop Falls City
Section Executive Board
