Seward County commissioners reduce historical-organization levy requests for November ballot

The Seward County Board of Commissioners on March 17 adopted two resolutions to place amended tax-levy requests from local historical organizations on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot.

Commissioner Raegan Hain moved to adopt Resolution No. 3924, amending a prior request by the Seward County Historical Society and Museum to reduce its levy request from three-tenths of one cent (.003) to one-tenth of one cent (.001) on each $100 of taxable value; Commissioner Ken Schmieding seconded the motion, which passed with affirmative votes from Hain, Schmieding, Darrell J. Zabrocki, Scott Pekarek and Chair Misty Ahmic. Brandy M. Johnson, Seward County Clerk, attested to the resolution.

The board then adopted Resolution No. 3925 to make an identical change for the Seward Blue River Historical District. Commissioner Darrell Zabrocki moved the resolution, Commissioner Scott Pekarek seconded, and the motion carried with affirmative votes by Zabrocki, Pekarek, Hain, Schmieding and Chair Ahmic. Both resolutions cite Neb. Rev. Stat. §23-355.01, the state statute authorizing county historical organizations to request a levy for establishment, management, exhibits and maintenance.

Why it matters: If approved by Seward County voters, each organization would be authorized to levy up to one-tenth of one cent on each $100 of taxable property to fund historical-society activities, including the construction and improvement of necessary buildings. The board’s action places the amended ballot language before voters rather than enacting any levy itself.

Background and next steps: The board previously granted the organizations’ requests at higher levy levels and moved on March 17 to adopt the amended language the organizations later submitted. The measures will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot; voters will decide whether to authorize the levies.