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Commissioners deny SWBC settlement offer; TURC ruling makes 16 CW Yount parcels taxable for 2020
Summary
Scotts Bluff County commissioners voted to reject a written settlement offer from SWBC to lower valuations on three tax years; county staff recommended allowing the Tax Equalization Review Commission (TURC) to decide. Separately, the board was notified TURC found 16 CW Yount Foundation parcels taxable for 2020; staff plans tax‑list corrections totaling an estimated $45,000.
The Scotts Bluff County Board of Commissioners unanimously rejected a proposed settlement from SWBC to reduce assessed values for three contested tax years and heard notice of a separate TURC decision that removes an exemption on property held by the CW Yount Foundation for tax year 2020.
County staff told the board that Tim Parma, representing SWBC/26-17 Properties, had offered a written settlement reducing taxable valuations to $6,000,000 for 2021 and 2022 and $1,500,000 for 2023. Staff’s recommendation was to decline and allow the Tax Equalization and Review Commission (TURC) to adjudicate the cases. Commissioners discussed the mechanics and consequences of a settlement, noting that any refund would be proportionately owed to all taxing authorities and ultimately affect taxpayers. The board moved to deny the SWBC proposal and recorded a 5–0 vote to let TURC proceed.
On a separate item, staff presented the TURC decision involving the CW Yount Foundation for tax year 2020. TURC concluded the foundation’s parcels did not meet the state’s criteria for a permissive exemption because the primary use generated rental income (agricultural and residential use), even though foundation proceeds are distributed to charities. Staff said they will prepare tax‑list corrections and issue bills, estimating roughly $45,000 in additional tax revenue for 2020 to be collected from the foundation and distributed to taxing authorities. The foundation will have 30 days to file a valuation protest (not a challenge to the TURC ruling).
The board took no action to settle the SWBC cases and affirmed staff will proceed with tax-list corrections and notifications required by statute for the CW Yount parcels.
