Blog

Focus on Government Finances

For the in-between time between election cycles

None
    This month our topic is "Focus on Finances."  [Note:  60% of property tax goes to schools - watch for that discussion in an upcoming month.]
     
    The Legislature for years and years has invented the ways to spend money.  The Executive branch (Governor) also spends money.  The State Treasurer does not decide how that money is spent, but instead keeps track of it.  At  https://statespending.nebraska.gov/ you will find this statement:
     
    "The State Treasurer is responsible for the receipting and disbursing of all state funds, which includes recording these transactions and informing the Legislature through a yearly report on the state's financial picture. The Treasurer believes that public officials have a duty to show the public how their tax dollars are being spent."
    The site even requests suggestions for improvement.  
     
    Besides that major function, The State Treasurer also participates in these activities:
     
    What a County Treasurer does:
     
     
    Vehicle Titles, Vehicle Registration, License Plates, Vehicle Permits Real Estate or Personal Property Taxes
     
     
    Collection of real estate and personal taxes, Taxes may now be paid on-line at www.nto.us, Collection of special assessments, Collection of inheritance tax, Issue drivers licenses, Motor vehicle titling, Motor vehicle licensing, Collection of motor vehicle sales tax, Mail annual real estate & personal property tax statements, Advertise delinquent taxes yearly, Issue distress warrants (for delinquent personal taxes) to county sheriff for collection, Issue tax sales on delinquent real estate taxes, Issue treasurer's deeds on matured tax sales, Publish semi-annual disbursements & collections, Distribution of all collections, Disbursement of collections, Investment of cash on hand, Give estimates on motor vehicle licensing​
     
    in Seward County
    collects and disburses real and personal property taxes, issues motor vehicle titles and registrations, driver licenses and learner permits, boat registrations and mobile park permits. Information materials: CDL books, Driver License books, Provisional operator permits, Boating books, Specialty license plate applications
     
    To collect all revenues for the County, To bill and collect all real estate and personal taxes in the County, Register all motor vehicles with tax situs in the County, To issue driver licenses, C.D.L.'s, learner permits, I.D. cards, school permits, etc., To disburse collections to the proper political subdivisions, Boat Registration, Snowmobile Registration
     
    From our newsletter - here are some sample ideas of what you might like to communicate to your County Treasurer, Assessor, or the State Treasurer.  
     
    Example Idea #1: Dear County Treasurer, Thank you for improving the system for registering our vehicles!
     
    Example Idea #2: Dear County Treasurer, is it true that the County could take over ownership of my home if I can’t pay the taxes, and someone else can buy it? Sarpy Tax Sale.
     
    Example Idea #3: Dear State Treasurer, I'm concerned that the Meadowlark idea would make more people dependent on government.  meadowlark-savings-pledge
     
    Example Idea #4: Dear State Treasurer, my recommendation for improving the State Spending site would be …..
     
    Example Idea #5: Dear County Assessor, What strategies do you use to assess the value of properties in different economic areas of the county?
    State Treasurer        
      Tom Briese appointed 402-471-2455 https://treasurer.nebraska.gov/email.aspx?treasurer
    County First name Last Name term of office office phone office email
    County Treasurers        
               
    Douglas Timothy Cavanaugh appointed (402) 444-7082 Treasurer@dctreasurer.org
    Sarpy Jeff Mikesell appointed 402-593-2143 jmikesell@sarpy.gov
    Cass Cynthia A.  Fenton elected 2022 402.296.9511 cindyf@casscountyne.gov
    Lancaster Rachel M Garver elected 2022 402-441-7425 cotreas@lancaster.ne.gov
    Washington Marjorie S  Hoier elected 2022 (402) 426-6888 treasurer@washingtoncountyne.gov
    Seward Jacob Zlatkovsky elected 2022 402-643-4574 jzlatkovsky@sewardcountyne.gov
    Dodge Kristine N.  Winterstein appointed (402) 727-2750 treasurer@dodgecountyne.gov
               
               
    County Assessors        
               
    Douglas Michael J.  Goodwillie appointed (402) 444-7060 dcassessor.org/feedback
    Sarpy Danny Pittman reelected 2022 402-593-2122 https://www.sarpy.gov/formcenter/Assessor-4/Ask-the-Assessor-46
    Cass Sasha  Frye appointed 402-296-9310 https://www.casscountyne.gov/contact
    Lancaster Dan  Nolte elected 2022 402-441-7463 Assessor@lancaster.ne.gov
    Washington Robin  Andreasen elected 2022 (402) 426-6800 r.andreasen@washingtoncountyne.gov
    Seward Marilyn  Hladky elected 2022 402-643-3311 mhladky@sewardcountyne.gov
    Dodge Brandy  Marshall appointed (402) 727-3911 assessor@dodgecountyne.gov
    https://youtu.be/nS10_m9IRbc        
               
               
    County Clerks          
    Douglas Dan Esch reelected 2022 (402) 444-6767  
    Sarpy Deb  Houghtaling reelected 2022 402-593-2105 clerk@sarpy.gov  (also Register of Deeds)
    Cass Gerri Draper reelected 2022 402-296-9300 clerk@casscountyne.gov
    Lancaster Matt  Hansen reelected 2022 402-441-7481 coclerk@lancaster.ne.gov
    Washington Barbara Sullivan elected 2020 (402) 426-6822 clerk@washingtoncountyne.gov
    Seward Sherry Schweitzer reelected 2022 (402) 643-2883 sschweitzer@sewardcountyne.gov
    Dodge Micki Gilfry elected 2020 402-727-2767 mgilfry@dodgecountyne.gov