Chicken producers grow tax valuation in Nemaha County

AUBURN – The emergence of nine locations producing chickens for nearby processing plants is giving Nemaha County’s tax valuation a  $30 million boost.

Of the nine chicken farms, one that has been completed this  year on 23 acres is assessed at $2.6 million on buildings and $890,000 on personal property for equipment inside of the buildings. The addition of nine chicken farms contributes to a tax assessment increase of $179 million.

Assessor Mallory Lempka said there are various factors in the overall valuation increases, including market sales of property, but the chicken farms are the primary source of valuation growth due to new investment.

She said the county also has 6,000 to 7,000 acres under lease for solar power. She expects future valuation growth to come from these acres.

At Wednesday’s county board meeting, commissioners approved an additional $25,000 to the county rock budget, with Commissioner Bryan Mellage dissenting.

Commissioners also approved $50,000 to increase the county reserves to $500,000.

Commissioners were asked about expenses of hiring an emergency management assistant and a full-time weed superintendent.

Commissioner Mike Weiss said the state has complained about incomplete records regarding weed management in the past, but he expects to hear positive reports when the board is evaluated in October.

He said a part-time weed superintendent has not been working out. The county’s budget for the weed program has gone from under $10,000 to $69,000 this year.

The county expects the EMA budget to increase $80,000 with the addition of an EMA assistant.

Weiss said four of the nine new chicken farms are contracted to operate organic barns. An organic barn is built on grass and has limits on the number of birds per square foot. Barns accommodate natural chicken behaviors and outdoor access.