11% tax hike in Papillion budget

An $8 million new public works facility and an expanded effort to spruce up city parks and the aquatic center are the main reasons for Papillion's proposed 11 percent property tax increase.

Residents will be able to weigh in on the city's 2011-12 budget at a hearing Tuesday. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Papillion City Hall.

Mayor David Black and City Administrator Dan Hoins have recommended Papillion boost the tax rate from 40.5 cents to 45 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

The owner of a $150,000 home in Papillion would pay $675 next year in city property taxes — up $67 — if the budget is approved.

Overall, the proposal would maintain the city's current staff of about 165 full-time employees and provide raises. The budget also calls for $2 million for unspecified economic development efforts and $250,000 for a new dump truck.

But those expenditures, city officials said, are not driving the proposed tax hike.

Instead, the public works project accounts for most of the proposed increase. It includes an 18,000-square-foot maintenance garage, another 17,000-square-foot public works building and additional storage for road salt. A 2008 engineering consultant's study recommended Papillion acquire 8 to 12 acres for the site.

The new complex would replace the current downtown facility, which was built in 1920. It has three bays to service the city's fleet of 170 vehicles and heavy equipment. The bays are not large enough for fire trucks, city spokesman Darren Carlson said.

"We would invite anyone to come down and take a look at the facility we have," Carlson said. "It is not adequate for the demands."

The property tax hike would pay only a small portion of the total construction cost. Papillion probably would issue bonds, which would have to be repaid over time.

In addition, a portion of the tax hike would go toward park and swimming pool improvements. The city budget proposes about $300,000 to repair and renovate the Papio Bay Aquatic Center and $200,000 for park restoration, particularly Hickory Hill Park.

Councilman Brian Liesveld said he has gotten an earful from his constituents and plans to vote against the proposed budget.

He does not support the idea of raising taxes for the public works complex.

"This seems like too much all at once," Liesveld said. "There is no question the building needs to be replaced, but I would prefer to see us plan ahead and save up. With the way the economy is, I don't think now is the time we should be raising our taxes on our citizens."

Liesveld urged residents to attend the public hearing to make their feelings known.

Council President Steve Engberg said he's leaning toward supporting the mayor's recommended tax hike. Engberg recalled that Papillion's tax rate was much higher in the late 1980s when he was the city's police chief and noted that Papillion's tax rate has recently been the lowest for cities in Douglas and Sarpy Counties.

"We've got a track record of not socking it to people with city taxes," Engberg said.

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