Lincoln Airport could nearly double its property tax levy
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Airport Authority on Monday pitched its budget to the Lincoln City Council.
The $25 million plan would come at a cost for area taxpayers.
The airport board approved a budget in June that includes funding for the new terminal, several maintenance projects and a runway project.
To pay for it, the airport proposed a property tax levy increase from 1.67 cents per $100,000 of valuation to 3.1 cents, nearly double.
The owner of a $281,000 house, the average home price in Lincoln, would pay about $87 under the new rate.
SEE ALSO: State senators pass property tax relief bill as special session ends
JoAnne Owens-Nauslar said she flies out of the Lincoln airport because it’s right in her backyard.
But, like many Nebraskans, she would like to see another airline, so she’s in favor of the tax hike.
“If the increase is going to get some competition in here, fine,” she said. “It’s a beautiful space, and we don’t use all of it. So the logic would be to get another airline in here. Infrastructure is always important. Take care of it before it’s out of control.”
SEE ALSO: Federal Aviation Administration awards $18 million to 23 Nebraska airports
John Olsson, one of the members of the airport’s board of directors, said the lack of airlines is something officials are working on.
“We don’t have anything today, but we’re actively marketing,” he said. “We’ve got people out there talking to the airlines; we’ve got people helping us out with that. We’re working it hard because people want more air service.”
A man who was picking up his daughter from the airport Tuesday said he doesn’t want to pay more taxes because most people fly out of Omaha.
Olsson said the tax increase will help fund priority maintenance projects like bridge repair, building demolition and emergency equipment.
He said outside of grants, the airport’s revenue options are limited.
Olsson said the airport tries to make its own money through the industrial park, but that “needs a little love.”
“The gap is a little big, and we just need a little help,” Olsson said in defense of the tax increase.
SEE ALSO: Lincoln Airport’s executive director keeps job after unanimous vote
Airport officials said all capital projects would go through a public process and be approved by the board.
The City Council decided to delay the vote on the budget until next week.
