Lincoln County Board of Equalization reduces or affirms valuations in multiple protests; authorizes confession of judgment to resolve appeal

The Lincoln County Board of Equalization met to consider taxpayer protests of 2024/2025 assessments and took recorded actions on multiple parcels, including both reductions and confirmations of assessed value.

Confession of judgment in state appeal: The board authorized a confession of judgment in case No. 24R‑0800 before the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (T.E.R.C.) for a parcel owned by Charlie J. Cleveland. County appraisers had reduced the value from $378,721 to $348,175 to reflect functional damage (foundation/leakage) and the board approved the settlement to avoid further litigation.

Selected protest outcomes (board action summary): - Protest 133 (Midstates Power LLC, Maligne’s second replat lot 2, 0.73 acres): After discussion the board equalized the parcel with like property and set land value to $34,413 and improvements to $322,025 for a total of $356,438 (motion carried by roll call). - Protest 134 (Keystone Investment LLC / related parcel): The board accepted assessor/referee recommended reduction of improvements; final values were adjusted (assessor recommendation adopted). - Protest 132 (Roger Lathrop / Sutherland parcel): The board accepted assessor/referee recommendation to leave the land at $27,460 with no change to buildings (buildings assigned no value) because evidence did not warrant change. - Protest 72 and 73 (Mitchell Inman / North Park Village lots): After review the board accepted adjusted assessor recommendations that combined lots for assessment purposes and lowered valuations for both parcels; the board adopted assessor/referee recommendations for the two related parcels. - Protest 55 (Beers and Bear Claws LLC, South Willow Street commercial property): Using an income approach, assessor recommended lowering building values; the board adopted the assessor and referee recommendation to reduce improvements to $590,008.77 (total valuation $716,009.62). - Protest 182 (Starbucks property on South Jeffers): After review of the taxpayer’s income approach, the board accepted the assessor’s recommendation of no change; the 2025 total was retained at $900,484.

The board recorded roll‑call votes on each decision; commissioners present for the Board of Equalization were Kent Weems, Chris Brons and Jerry Woodruff. Many protest hearings included referee recommendations and assessor inspection reports; the board frequently noted the need to equalize valuations against like properties and to follow the Department of Revenue guidance on valuation methodology.

Why it matters: The Board of Equalization’s decisions determine taxable values, which affect property taxes for owners and the county’s tax base. Several adjustments reduced assessed values where evidence of damage or vacancy existed; other protests were denied where the assessor and referee found the record supported current valuations.

What’s next: Taxpayers who remain dissatisfied were advised of appeal rights to the Nebraska Tax Equalization and Review Commission (T.E.R.C.). County assessor staff will update records to reflect the board’s decisions and adjust tax rolls accordingly.