City of Imperial voters to decide city sales tax renewal
By Russ Pankonin
For The Imperial Republican
Registered voters who live inside the Imperial city limits will decide whether or not to continue the city sales tax during this year’s General Election, Tuesday, Nov. 4
Voters will see three related sales tax questions on the ballot.
The first, Proposition A, will ask voters whether or not to renew the 1 percent sales now in effect.
The second question, Proposition B, will ask voters whether or not to add an additional .05 percent to the existing 1 percent sales tax. These funds would to go to the city’s general fund with the purposes to be determined by the city council.
The third question, Proposition C, renews an economic development plan already in place with the existing sales tax program. This program allows no more than one-half of the total sales tax collected to be used for economic development. This proposition must pass for either sales tax proposition to be implemented.
Sales tax passed in 2006
Imperial’s first ever sales tax was approved by voters in the 2006 General Election. The sales tax question passed by a margin of 435-358 with the economic development plan passing 455-331.
The original vote limited the sales tax to a period of 20 years. which expires Dec. 31, 2026.
The city sales tax receipts are split equally between the Community Improvement Fund and the Economic Development Fund.
The city council oversees the requests for community development funds. The Community Redevelopment Authority, created by the initial 2006 economic development plan, fields request for economic development funds.
The CRA reviews requests for business loans, new startup funding, ownership transition efforts, etc. A loan committee also reviews and qualifies the requests.
The council gives final approval to the distribution of sales tax funds, whether it’s for community betterment or economic development.
Collection of the sales tax began in April 2007. If the renewal is approved this election, the collection will begin in April 2027.
Since the sales tax began, the city has received a total of $9,027,396.30 through Aug. 31, 2026. Sales tax on motor vehicle sales total another $1,289,991.71. These funds are designated for street improvements within the city.
One of the first major economic development projects funded by the sales tax was the $360,000 purchase of 77 acres of irrigated land at the southwest corner of imperial in 2009. This area would become known as the Cornerstone Development.
During the past 20 years, the area spawned a housing expansion of single-family rental homes, single-family residential homes and rental apartments.
The area is also home to seven new or existing businesses that have built facilities in the commercially-zoned area.
Sales tax funds dedicated to community improvement have funded a variety of betterment projects. Some include the swimming pool, veterans memorial project, new fire hall, city gym renovation, theater projection equipment, etc.
The economic development funds have assisted business ownership transitions, business startups and purchases and other low-interest business development loans.
Info meeting planned Sunday
An informational meeting will be held at the Imperial Theater this Sunday, October 11th at 5:00 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Ballot Language
Proposition A:
“Shall the City of Imperial, Nebraska, be authorized to renew its existing sales and use tax of one percent (1.00%) upon the same transactions within the City of Imperial on which the State of Nebraska is authorized to impose a sales and use tax, to be imposed in perpetuity and applied to the City’s general fund or other purposes as provided by ordinance of the City Council?”
O FOR renewal of said one percent (1.00%) sales and use tax, subject to such terms and conditions
O AGAINST renewal of said one percent (1.00%) sales and use tax
Electors voting in favor shall blacken the oval opposite the words “FOR renewal of said one percent (1.00%) sales and use tax, subject to such terms and conditions” following such proposition, and electors voting against shall blacken the oval opposite the words “AGAINST renewal of said one percent (1.00%) sales and use tax” following the proposition.
Proposition B:
“Shall the City of Imperial, Nebraska, be authorized to impose a sales and use tax of an additional one-half percent (0.50%), for a total sales and use tax rate of one and one-half percent (1.50%), upon the same transactions within the City of Imperial on which the State of Nebraska is authorized to impose a sales and use tax, to be imposed in perpetuity and applied to the City’s general fund or other purposes as provided by ordinance of the City Council?”
O FOR said additional one-half percent (0.50%) sales and use tax, subject to such terms and conditions
O AGAINST said additional one-half percent (0.50%) sales and use tax
Electors voting in favor shall blacken the oval opposite the words “FOR said additional one-half percent (0.50%) sales and use tax, subject to such terms and conditions” following such proposition, and electors voting against shall blacken the oval opposite the words “AGAINST said additional one-half percent (0.50%) sales and use tax” following the proposition.
Proposition C: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
“Shall the City of Imperial establish an Economic Development Program as described below by appropriating annually from local sources of revenue not more than one-half the revenue received from the City’s one percent sales and use tax in Proposition A above for a period of years ending upon termination of such one percent sales and use tax?
O YES
O NO
The Economic Development Program aims to strengthen Imperial and Chase County’s economy by creating and retaining jobs, attracting investment and broadening the local tax base, helping local businesses compete, expanding housing and childcare infrastructure, for the workforce, growing tourism, and diversifying the economy for long-term stability.