Buffalo County Courthouse (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The Buffalo County Assessor gave an update on the office’s four-year plan when it comes to assessing property value during the county commissioners meeting on Monday, Dec. 23.
Roy Meusch, County Assessor, told the commissioners that his office and staff have been working through a four-year plan reassessing property value in the county to make things more equitable.
The Assessor is responsible for the valuation of approximately 25,000 parcels of real estate and 3,250 parcels of personal property. Approximately 1,200 homestead exemption applications and 250 permissive exemption applications are collected and processed.
After working through City of Kearney residential properties in 2023, Meusch said in 2024 they reassessed 5,000 rural properties throughout the county.
Looking ahead, Meusch said in 2025, the offices plan to reassess between 1,800 and 2,000 commercial properties in Kearney. He noted these can run the gamut in terms of size, value, etc.
In 2026, the assessor’s office will look to reassess miscellaneous improvements and clean up their codes in an effort to streamline certain items.
So far, Meusch said the office staff of nine people have reassessed 17,000 parcels in the last two years.
Meusch said they aim to reduce the number of tax protests that are brought before the commissioners, with this year’s number of protests being just over 200.
The commissioners thanked Meusch and his staff for the work they are putting into reassessing property value.
