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Residents urge use of wind revenue to limit levy increase as county prepares final levy
Summary
During the Truth & Taxation session, residents asked whether excess wind revenue could be used to lower next year’s levy; the Board said it currently uses $1,000,000 in wind revenue for direct tax relief and will set the final levy on Dec. 16 after reviewing budget changes.
Auditor‑Treasurer Deb Vierhuf presented the budget summary and wind income report at the Truth & Taxation meeting. The preliminary budget reflected a 9% increase; after some reductions the county reported a 5.5% increase. Vierhuf noted SWHHS’s number may change.
Several residents spoke. Curtis Rethwitz asked whether excess wind revenue in reserves could be tapped to reduce property‑tax increases; Commissioner Mic VanDeVere replied that Lincoln County currently uses $1,000,000.00 in wind revenue for direct tax relief but cautioned that wind production taxes may not be permanent and some wind funds are used for capital projects that also lower levy pressure. Resident Paul Fehrman asked about rising law‑enforcement costs and whether those increases are sustainable; commissioners responded that law enforcement costs have grown in part because cities no longer maintain local police and more deputies attend higher‑risk calls. The final levy is scheduled to be set at the Dec. 16 board meeting.
