VALENTINE, Neb. - The Valentine City Council voted Thursday night to lower the city’s property tax request from $430,000 to $399,000, reducing the levy to 15 cents.

As News Channel Nebraska reported earlier this year, Valentine already had one of the lowest property tax levies in the state.

The city’s 2023-24 audit shows Valentine’s property tax levy averages 19 cents—well below the 53-cent average for towns of similar size. The report shows property tax revenue at $165 per capita, well below the recommended $299. At the same time, Valentine collects $527 per capita in sales tax revenue, far above the recommended $308.

“Because you have so much sales tax revenue, you’re able to keep that property tax pretty low,” said Michael Hoback with AMGL. “You have by far the lowest property tax levy I’ve seen of any city your size.”

Meanwhile, the Valentine School Board also approved its 2025-2026 budget and tax request this week. The district’s operating budget will rise 4 percent, but its levy will drop 6 percent.