Looking Into The Special Elections

QUESTION: Several years ago we voted in a sale tax increase for city improvements. How was this bill written? Can the revenue be used for upgrading our wastewater treatment and other improvements? Or would it have to go back on the ballot?

ANSWER: After many phone calls, emails and trips to the courthouse, the Observer has learned that there are three special elections that may help readers understand the topics of the special elections.

The special election in July 1998 was the original Kimball City Sales Tax to Fund Economic Development. The goal of the Kimball Economic Development Plan in 1998 was to “encourage businesses to locate or expand in our community and thereby promote the economic well-being of our community and its residents.

This program existed for a period of 10 years from the date in 1998 when sales were first collected to fund the program. This was a ½% local option sales tax. According to the ballot, the city collected 1% sales tax, and this increased the total City of Kimball sales tax to 1½ %.

This City of Kimball sales tax was renewed in a special election in September of 2007. Out of 1,799 total registered voters, Proposition 1 was approved by 254 to 70 votes, and Proposition 2 was approved by 246 to 67. Proposition 1 imposed a ½% sales tax for Economic Development for a period of 15 years, and Proposition 2 established an Economic Development Program.

Both the 1998 and 2007 special election items focused on economic recruitment, providing new job opportunities, retentions of existing businesses, assisting in tourism, aiding in developing new industrial and commercial buildings, analyzing trends, assisting in zoning, and a variety of other economic projects.

Other special elections have included a hospital bond election in March of 2000, recall elections in Kimball and Bushnell, and a special election for a speedway proposal.

The special election in 2023 will have two items on it: LB840, which would have a life span of 15 years, and LB 357, which would be effective for 10 years.

The LB 357 infrastructure ballot question is for a ½ cent sales tax and would be the first infrastructure sales tax for 20 years or more, according to the information the Observer discovered.