6.23.04 Board to hold public hearing on recommendation for fire protection tax rate The Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) Board of Directors will hold a public hearing, Friday, July 2, at 8:15 a.m., on the tax rate to recommend to the Douglas County Board for fire protection levy. The rate recommended will need to be sufficient to produce $1.822 million in property tax receipts for the 2004-2005 tax year. During the past 10 years, the District's hydrant tax levy has decreased more than 34 percent while cost to maintain the hydrants has increased more than 25 percent. The current fire protection property tax on a house valued at $150,000 home is $10.83. If the $1.822 million request is granted, it is projected the tax on a $150,000 home would decrease to $10.73, based on preliminary Douglas County valuations and an overall increase in Sarpy County property values of 5 percent. M.U.D., a customer-owned utility, provides water and facilities needed for public fire protection in Omaha and portions of Douglas and Sarpy Counties. Revenue is used for pumps, reservoirs, mains and maintenance of more than 23,795 fire hydrants. The District serves more than 180,540 water customers in the Omaha metro area. Tax Rate History Year Tax rate in cents Tax on a $70,000 home Tax on a $150,000 home 1995-96 1.065 7.46 15.98 1996-97 0.987 6.91 14.81 1997-98 0.949 6.64 14.24 1998-99 0.894 6.26 13.41 1999-00 0.876 6.13 13.14 2000-01 0.768 5.38 11.52 2001-02 0.746 5.22 11.19 2002-03 0.741 5.19 11.12 2003-04 0.722 5.05 10.83 2004-05 estimate 0.715 5.01* 10.73* *Based on preliminary Douglas County valuations and an overall increase in Sarpy County property values of 5 percent.

2004 news 2003 news 2002 news 2001 news