(KLZA)-- Richardson County taxpayers will be receiving a pink colored postcard in the mail this week with information notifying property owners of a property tax increase of more than 2% from the prior year, increasing the property taxes for that parcel for the tax year 2022.

This notification is required as a result of the passage of LB644 by the Nebraska Legislature. The notice is intended to provide awareness to taxpayers of how much a property tax increase of more than 2% for a political subdivision will affect their property taxes for that year.

For 2022 this notice only lists Richardson County and Southeast Community College. Taxpayers should be aware that there also may be an increase in the amount of taxes that will be required as well by the school districts, cities, villages, Education Service Unit #4, Nemaha Natural Resources District, Richardson County Ag Society and rural fire districts if the property tax requirement to fund their political subdivision's budget increases.

They are not required to be listed, or to participate in the joint public hearing if the percentage of increase is less than 2% from the prior year.

A public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 202 of the Richardson County Courthouse. During the joint hearing, a representative of each political subdivision will give a brief presentation on their intent to increase the property tax request more than the allowable 2 percent, and the effect of such a request on their budget.

Any member of the public will be allowed to speak at the joint public hearing.

For more information go the the website:

nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/107/Slip/LB664.pdf.

The Richardson County budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 includes an increase in cost of fuel for the Road Department and the Sheriff's Department, an increase in the amount of costs associated with court appointed attorneys for the indigent, the increased costs associated with the safekeeping of inmates at the County Jail, salary increases, increased costs in required building repairs and planned road improvement projects, make an increase in the property tax requirement necessary.