Several representatives of Kimball County’s political subdivisions--including the Agricultural Society and High Plains Historical Society and all three fire districts--approached the county commissioners at Tuesday’s regular meeting requesting tax revenue continue to help fund their organizations and goals.

The County has routinely directed some money to these subdivisions in the past. This year, because of budget uncertainties tied to the special election for a taxpayer operated drag strip, commissioners have been hesitant to decide on continued funding, even for the fire districts.

Following a very long discussion, the board decided to put the question to the taxpayers during the primary election in May. At that point, it was noted, the public will have already voted on whether or not to direct some $8 million in public funds toward the drag strip and thus would be able to make a determination on monies for volunteer fire departments, as well as volunteer programs put on by the ag society.

“I don’t want to see any of the subdivisions to not be funded, I want fire districts to come to my fire,” said commissioner Larry Engstrom. “The Ag Society and the historical society are also two very important pieces of our communities, and I don’t want to see them not being funded either.”

Diana Quicke, Kimball County treasurer, brought up the issue of raising tax levies related to the drag strip and the effect of any such increase on county residents.

“One of our local farmers here, for example, has one parcel of land, that is valued at $580,000. His part on that one parcel is a lot of money,” she observed. “We also have a business here locally that would pay an increase of $42,000 more in taxes a year, which in the given twenty year period would add up to paying over $840,000.”