Two new fees are under consideration by the Chadron City Council as they review the fee ordinance ahead of the new fiscal year.
The council held its first reading of the ordinance Monday, introducing a proposed 2% occupation tax on lodging establishments in the city.
“What we’re proposing on that occupation fee is to dedicate it to parks and recreation,” said City Manager Tom Menke.
The proposal would have to be put forward as a ballot issue for voters in May and could potentially go into effect next August or September. Menke said the occupation tax would allow the city to collect funds from visitors and use that for improvements to city parks and recreation facilities. If approved, visitors staying at lodging establishments in the city would pay the occupation tax.
The city is also looking to charge a credit card transaction fee. The first reading proposes a fee of $2.20 or up to 4% of the purchase. Mayor George Klein said he’d rather see a flat 4%, while council member Miles Bannan asked city staff to present the amount of fees the city is paying to credit card companies at the next meeting.
“I think we have to be intentional on how we do it,” Bannan said.
Other adjustments in the city fee structures include utility increases. The city’s franchise fee on electric bills will increase by half a percent if the fee ordinance changes are approved. That change requires a 90-day notice to Nebraska Public Power District and wouldn’t go into effect until Jan. 1. Sewer rates will see a hike of $1.50/month in the base unit fee, making it $31.50. Additional units in multiple family units will increase to $26.50, and the consumption rate will go up 10 cents to $1.10/cubic feet of water used in excess of 800 cubic feet.
Changes are also proposed to city transit fees and some cemetery fees. At Greenwood Cemetery, after-hours burials, which include those after 4 p.m. on weekdays and after 11 a.m. on Saturdays, will incur extra costs. Weekday after-hours work will be charged overtime, and a Saturday afternoon fee of $500 will be charged after 11 a.m. The cost of relocation of a body inside the cemetery will double to $2,000 if the fee ordinance is approved.
Changes to city transit fees include reductions for trips to Chadron State Park and the Chadron City Ponds, but an increase for a trip to Crawford.
The fee ordinance will have two more readings before the changes become final.
It is nice to see our City Council members taking a proactive attitude towards the budget needs of Chadron.
Taxation is not the answer to an ever increasing need for revenue. We need monetary reform out of the debt based system founded in 1913. Debt free money is the only solution!
In my 68 years, I have observed a substantial increase in kinds of taxes and in tax rates. Does anyone ask, “Why?” More important, do we ask, “Where will it end?” It will not and can not end until we reform the way we create money.
A substantial increase in taxes and tax rates? Really? Reagan trickle down economic policies have resulted in unprecedented lower taxes and tax rates and the republican tax plan under trump’s administration lower taxes even further. The most efficient way to increase revenue would be to raise taxes on the people who can afford it. The top 10%.
Jay is correct! Break the bonds of involuntary economic Servitude. Restore a debt free medium of exchange, prosperity, Justice and American independence! Support introduction and passage of the Original American Transportation Act at http://www.debtfreemoney.org.
I agree with Jay and Julius!
takes all the sense out of using a credit card to me. Pay enough fees everywhere as it is!
Can’t pay fees, taxes or buy, sell or save unless we borrow the money first. Debt slaves in the land of the ‘free’
Can’t pay fees, taxes or buy, sell or save unless we borrow the money first.
Few ask where “money” comes from, why do we borrow and who are we indebted too! Everything in life is advancing except our ability to escape debt, inflation and taxes. Thanks Ken you are spot on!
Few ask where “money” comes from, why do we borrow and who are we indebted too! Everything in life is advancing except our ability to escape debt, inflation and taxes.
Few ask where “money” comes from, why do we borrow and who are we indebted too! Everything in life is advancing except ours
People should be required to understand how the monetary system works before being appointed to positions of authority over populace. Money is the very bloodline of society and if the bloodline is managed improperly everyone suffers, managed correctly everyone benefits! Monetary reform is coming as the dollar loses its “reserve” status and people must get educated. The BRICS nations are challenging the dollar by going to a gold backed currency. America better wake up and realize the value of the dollar is quickly deteriorating and no amount of taxes will resolve the problems we have.
I propose that anyone seeking a position of authority, city or state learn how money is created outside constitutional authority then pledge for monetary reform for the benefit of all or be immediately disqualified for service. If we desire to save our cities, state and country it’s our only hope.
new taxes more taxes really?, is there a accounting for what you get already ,do we need audits? are you over staffed? is there reckless spending? address those issues first before you start squeezing blood out of a turnip……