County’s agland values continues downward

For the third year in a row, the valuation of Perkins County agland has continued to fall.

This year, total agland value stands at $834.1 million, a decrease of $32.7 million compared to 2019’s total of $866.8 million. 

In the years that followed $7 corn and $8 wheat, land values began to soar in Southwest Nebraska, or all of Nebraska for that matter.

As the price paid for an irrigated quarter of land increased, higher property valuations followed. 

County assessors use three years of look-back sales data to set property valuations for tax purposes. 

So, even as the price of both commodities and land started to decline, previous sales at higher levels were still included in that three-year window, keeping property valuations at near-record levels through 2017.  

As those higher sales dropped out of the look back, agland valuations began to come down. 

County Assessor Peggy Burton said agland values dropped about 17% from 2017 to 2018 and have been decreasing some each year since. 

For 2020, she said irrigated agland dropped 4% across the board. Dryland dropped in a range from 3.9% to 4.2% with grassland dropping 2.5%.

The top class of irrigated land is now valued at $3,715 per acre, down $155 per acre from the 2019 value of $3,870. It peaked at nearly $4,100 per acre. 

The top class of dryland is valued at $975 per acre versus $1,015 in 2019, a drop of $40 per acre. Dryland peaked around $1,500 per acre. 

The top class of grassland went from $600 per acre last year to $585 per acre this year. 

Commercial values up

Burton said small-scale commercial property, rural residences and ag sites and the residential home in Venago were re-appraised for the 2020 tax year. 

Commercial values increasing nearly $4 million to $67 million, rural residences and ag sites increased $4 million and residential property increased $1.5 million in valuation. 

That increase of $9.4 million was offest by the $32.6 million decline in agland putting total real property value in Perkins County at $1.062 billion for 2020.

That’s an overall decreased of $23.19 million from 2019’s valuation of $1.085 billion. 

Courthouse reopens

With the easing of direct health measures by the governor in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, county officials decided Monday to reopen the courthouse to public traffic with some restrictions. 

During the lockdown period, outside doors were locked. People needing to conduct business with county offices in person had to make an appointment, with only one person allowed in an office at the time. 

On Monday, the courthouse doors were unlocked but the public must still follow safety precautions against the virus. 

Upon arrival, people must use hand sanitizer at the station on the first floor.

Offices are still limiting service to one person at a time, with others waiting outside while practicing social distancing. 

The county has purchased plexiglass dividers for all of public counters and offices for the protection of both staff and visitors.