Commissioners grant tax exemption for new hospital

The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners, who also serve as members on the county’s board of equalization, have approved a property tax exemption for the partially constructed new Sidney Regional Medical Center hospital.

County Assessor Louella Pippitt explained the commissioners act as the board of equalization whenever an agenda item deals with a taxing issue. Organizations that meet specific criteria are able to apply for exemptions on real and personal property.

“When they apply for those, they are strictly adhered to,” Pippitt said. “They have a lot of criteria they have go through.”

Exemptions can be granted for organizations that are charitable, educational or religious – such as churches, senior centers and hospitals.

The SRMC hospital facility currently in use is also exempt from property taxes.

During Tuesday’s meeting, County Commissioner Steve Olson asked if the new hospital under construction would be subject to taxes even though it’s only partially built.

Pippitt said without an exemption, it would be. She added, the deadline to apply for exemption is prior to the new year – a date SRMC missed.

“Because they were late, they get a penalty of either 10 percent of the tax or $100, whichever is the lesser amount,” Pippitt said.

Commissioner Phillip Sanders made a motion to grant the exemption, with a penalty of $100, which was approved by the board.

“That exemption applies to the building they are constructing right now,” Pippitt said. “That means they will be exempt from taxes except for the penalty because they were late applying.”

Also on Tuesday, the commissioners approved an application from the State of Nebraska Department of Roads for floodplain and floodway development permits for bridge construction on Interstate 80 near Lodgepole.

Colleen Terman, Cheyenne County Highway Department office clerk, said everything included in the application was in order.

A roll-call vote on the permit passed unanimously.

Special designated liquor licenses were granted to Jason Jurasek for the Boss Gobblers Annual Banquet and Tom Bryant for the Sidney Shooting Park Annual Banquet.

Both events will take place at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds; the Boss Gobblers event is scheduled for March 27 and the Shooting Park gathering will take place April 18.

Rebecca Napier addressed the commissioners to discuss the role of Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA. The volunteers, appointed by Cheyenne County Court Judge Randin Roland, advocate on behalf of abused children in the court system.

The advocates receive 30 hours of training.

“We’re just finishing up a volunteer class, and hopefully we’ll start another volunteer class by summer,” Napier said. “We make sure all children assigned to CASA have a volunteer.”

Formed in 2010, the local organization began seeing children in December 2012.

The commissioners voiced their support for the program.

“I whole heartedly support you,” Board Chairman Darrell Johnson said. “It’s a proven program that works very, very well.”

The next commissioners meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. on March 2 in the Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting room.