Pictometry contract garners much local attention

One agenda item for the Kimball County Commissioners, held over from last month, became a local social media hot topic prior to the Oct. 2 regular board meeting. Though many residents voiced concern over social media, just one attended the meeting with those concerns.

The board of commissioners were to consider, approve and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the agreement between Pictometry International Corp. and Kimball County for aerial 3D imagery available for use by all Kimball County Departments.

Some of the questions raised include: what benefits will the tax payers of Kimball County see? Why does the county need to invest into Pictometry?

Commissioner Tim Nolting addressed this concern stating, “Although the technology will be administered by the Board of Commissioners and paid through the General Fund, the primary user at this time will be the Assessors Office. The data will be overlaid with our (the county’s) current GIS system.”

According to Nolting this technology provides access for up to 50 individual users and will be available for anyone to utilize through login at the courthouse. The Board of Commissioners will be responsible for the assignment/approval of logins.

“Technology provided by Pictometry will also be used by our Sheriff’s Department, and Road Department and we believe, in time, that it will also benefit our Fire Departments, Ambulance and also the City of Kimball,” he added.

Another valued concern is the cost to the county and where the monies will come from. It is important to remember that this contract is a six year contract with concerns about the six year price of $188,255, which breaks down to $31,375.83 annually. The estimated tax increase on a $50,000 home in the City of Kimball will be approximately $2.21 annually.

Along the same lines, some Kimball County taxpayers are concerned that property taxes continue to increase with no decrease in spending seen.

“After the county wide property appraisal was completed, over a year ago, the Assessor’s Office had one employee resign. That position was not filled as the Assessor indicated that Pictometry could take the place of that head count. Since that time the Commissioners have had two presentations demonstrating the technology and have considered contracting for the service,” said Nolting. “In the current budget cycle we agreed to include it in the current 2018-19 budget. The Accessor’s office will not replace the employee who left.”

According to the County Clerks Office an entry-level employee, with benefits, would cost $37,000 in the first year of employment, far outweighing the annual Pictometry cost of $31,375.83.

According to Sherry Winstrom and Commissioner Nolting the State of Nebraska, Property Assessment Division has approved the use of Pictometry to replace the 6-year requirement of physical inspections. Although there many be an occasional need for physical inspections to settle any disputes or at the property owner’s request.

“I have spoken with one of the Dawes County Commissioners about the Pictometry technology that they have had for the past four years. From the first flyover they (Dawes County) found nearly 800 structures that were not on the existing property records. From the second flyover they found more than 300 building additions that had not been recorded as well as about 300 structures that had been demolished. For Dawes County, having more residences than Kimball County, their cost is nearly $60,000 annually and have plans to continue the use of Pictometry,” Nolting said.

The contract was approved and Chairman Engstrom signed it for a six year commitment.