Southeast Community College board reduces proposed levy increase

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The levy for Southeast Community College is going up, but the increase is smaller than previously proposed.

In June, the board of governors approved a preliminary budget for the 2023-24 school year with a levy tax rate of 11.25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

But on Tuesday, after opposition from some state senators and community members, the board unanimously approved a budget with a levy of 10.5 cents.

That means if you own a house assessed at $275,000, you would pay $288.75 in taxes to SCC.

SCC President Paul Illich felt it was important that the college do its part to help support the sustainability of the state’s new model for funding community colleges.

“I appreciate the opportunity to meet with constituents and receive valuable feedback in order to reduce the levy rate from the maximum to 8.5 cents,” Illich said in a press release. “The College will be making the necessary cuts in identified projects in operating maintenance, technology and other expenditures. We believe we can continue to pursue our mission and strategic goals and objectives with the CCFF baseline set at the advertised rate.”