Source: http://nebraskacommunitycolleges.org/system/statutes/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 21:17:13+00:00

Document:
32-514 COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA BOARD OF GOVERNORS; DISTRICTS; TERMS; NONPARTISAN BALLOT.
Candidates for membership on the community college area board of governors shall be elected from the election districts established by the board of governors pursuant to section 85‑1512. Two members of the board shall be elected from each election district, and one member shall be elected at large from the area. Board members shall be elected for four‑year terms. Board members shall be elected on the nonpartisan ballot.
Source: Laws 1994, LB 76, ‘ 110.
77-3442 PROPERTY TAX LEVIES; MAXIMUM LEVY; EXCEPTIONS.
(1) Property tax levies for the support of local governments for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 1998, shall be limited to the amounts set forth in this section except as provided in section 77-3444.
(2)(a) Except as provided in subdivision (2)(e) of this section, school districts and multiple-district school systems, except learning communities and school districts that are members of learning communities, may levy a maximum levy of one dollar and five cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy.
(b) For each fiscal year, learning communities may levy a maximum levy for the general fund budgets of member school districts of ninety-five cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy. The proceeds from the levy pursuant to this subdivision shall be distributed pursuant to section 79-1073.
(c) Except as provided in subdivision (2)(e) of this section, for each fiscal year, school districts that are members of learning communities may levy for purposes of such districts’ general fund budget and special building funds a maximum combined levy of the difference of one dollar and five cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable property subject to the levy minus the learning community levies pursuant to subdivisions (2)(b) and (2)(g) of this section for such learning community.
(d) Excluded from the limitations in subdivisions (2)(a) and (2)(c) of this section are amounts levied to pay for sums agreed to be paid by a school district to certificated employees in exchange for a voluntary termination of employment and amounts levied to pay for special building funds and sinking funds established for projects commenced prior to April 1, 1996, for construction, expansion, or alteration of school district buildings. For purposes of this subsection, commenced means any action taken by the school board on the record which commits the board to expend district funds in planning, constructing, or carrying out the project.
(e) Federal aid school districts may exceed the maximum levy prescribed by subdivision (2)(a) or (2)(c) of this section only to the extent necessary to qualify to receive federal aid pursuant to Title VIII of Public Law 103-382, as such title existed on September 1, 2001. For purposes of this subdivision, federal aid school district means any school district which receives ten percent or more of the revenue for its general fund budget from federal government sources pursuant to Title VIII of Public Law 103-382, as such title existed on September 1, 2001.
(f) For school fiscal year 2002-03 through school fiscal year 2007-08, school districts and multiple-district school systems may, upon a three-fourths majority vote of the school board of the school district, the board of the unified system, or the school board of the high school district of the multiple-district school system that is not a unified system, exceed the maximum levy prescribed by subdivision (2)(a) of this section in an amount equal to the net difference between the amount of state aid that would have been provided under the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act without the temporary aid adjustment factor as defined in section 79-1003 for the ensuing school fiscal year for the school district or multiple-district school system and the amount provided with the temporary aid adjustment factor. The State Department of Education shall certify to the school districts and multiple-district school systems the amount by which the maximum levy may be exceeded for the next school fiscal year pursuant to this subdivision (f) of this subsection on or before February 15 for school fiscal years 2004-05 through 2007-08.
(g) For each fiscal year, learning communities may levy a maximum levy of two cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable property subject to the levy for special building funds for member school districts. The proceeds from the levy pursuant to this subdivision shall be distributed pursuant to section 79-1073.01.
(h) For each fiscal year, learning communities may levy a maximum levy of five cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable property subject to the levy for elementary learning center facilities and for up to fifty percent of the estimated cost for capital projects approved by the learning community coordinating council pursuant to section 79-2111.
(3) Community colleges may levy a maximum levy calculated pursuant to the Community College Foundation and Equalization Aid Act on each one hundred dollars of taxable property subject to the levy.
(4)(a) Natural resources districts may levy a maximum levy of four and one-half cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy.
(b) Natural resources districts shall also have the power and authority to levy a tax equal to the dollar amount by which their restricted funds budgeted to administer and implement ground water management activities and integrated management activities under the Nebraska Ground Water Management and Protection Act exceed their restricted funds budgeted to administer and implement ground water management activities and integrated management activities for FY2003-04, not to exceed one cent on each one hundred dollars of taxable valuation annually on all of the taxable property within the district.
(c) In addition, natural resources districts located in a river basin, subbasin, or reach that has been determined to be fully appropriated pursuant to section 46-714 or designated as overappropriated pursuant to section 46-713 by the Department of Natural Resources shall also have the power and authority to levy a tax equal to the dollar amount by which their restricted funds budgeted to administer and implement ground water management activities and integrated management activities under the Nebraska Ground Water Management and Protection Act exceed their restricted funds budgeted to administer and implement ground water management activities and integrated management activities for FY2005-06, not to exceed three cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable valuation on all of the taxable property within the district for fiscal year 2006-07 and each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 2011-12.
(5) Any educational service unit authorized to levy a property tax pursuant to section 79-1225 may levy a maximum levy of one and one-half cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy.
(6)(a) Incorporated cities and villages which are not within the boundaries of a municipal county may levy a maximum levy of forty-five cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy plus an additional five cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation to provide financing for the municipality’s share of revenue required under an agreement or agreements executed pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act or the Joint Public Agency Act. The maximum levy shall include amounts levied to pay for sums to support a library pursuant to section 51-201, museum pursuant to section 51-501, visiting community nurse, home health nurse, or home health agency pursuant to section 71-1637, or statue, memorial, or monument pursuant to section 80-202.
(b) Incorporated cities and villages which are within the boundaries of a municipal county may levy a maximum levy of ninety cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy. The maximum levy shall include amounts paid to a municipal county for county services, amounts levied to pay for sums to support a library pursuant to section 51-20l, a museum pursuant to section 51-501, a visiting community nurse, home health nurse, or home health agency pursuant to section 71-1637, or a statue, memorial, or monument pursuant to section 80-202.
(7) Sanitary and improvement districts which have been in existence for more than five years may levy a maximum levy of forty cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy, and sanitary and improvement districts which have been in existence for five years or less shall not have a maximum levy. Unconsolidated sanitary and improvement districts which have been in existence for more than five years and are located in a municipal county may levy a maximum of eighty-five cents per hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy.
(8) Counties may levy or authorize a maximum levy of fifty cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy, except that five cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy may only be levied to provide financing for the county’s share of revenue required under an agreement or agreements executed pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act or the Joint Public Agency Act. The maximum levy shall include amounts levied to pay for sums to support a library pursuant to section 51-201 or museum pursuant to section 51-501. The county may allocate up to fifteen cents of its authority to other political subdivisions subject to allocation of property tax authority under subsection (1) of section 77-3443 and not specifically covered in this section to levy taxes as authorized by law which do not collectively exceed fifteen cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation on any parcel or item of taxable property. The county may allocate to one or more other political subdivisions subject to allocation of property tax authority by the county under subsection (1) of section 77-3443 some or all of the county’s five cents per one hundred dollars of valuation authorized for support of an agreement or agreements to be levied by the political subdivision for the purpose of supporting that political subdivision’s share of revenue required under an agreement or agreements executed pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act or the Joint Public Agency Act. If an allocation by a county would cause another county to exceed its levy authority under this section, the second county may exceed the levy authority in order to levy the amount allocated.
(9) Municipal counties may levy or authorize a maximum levy of one dollar per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy. The municipal county may allocate levy authority to any political subdivision or entity subject to allocation under section 77-3443.
(10) Property tax levies for judgments, except judgments or orders from the Commission of Industrial Relations, obtained against a political subdivision which require or obligate a political subdivision to pay such judgment, to the extent such judgment is not paid by liability insurance coverage of a political subdivision, for preexisting lease-purchase contracts approved prior to July 1, 1998, for bonded indebtedness approved according to law and secured by a levy on property except as provided in section 44-4317 for bonded indebtedness issued by educational service units and school districts, and for payments by a public airport to retire interest-free loans from the Department of Aeronautics in lieu of bonded indebtedness at a lower cost to the public airport are not included in the levy limits established by this section.
(11) The limitations on tax levies provided in this section are to include all other general or special levies provided by law. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, the only exceptions to the limits in this section are those provided by or authorized by sections 77-3442 to 77-3444.
(12) Tax levies in excess of the limitations in this section shall be considered unauthorized levies under section 77-1606 unless approved under section 77-3444.
(13) For purposes of sections 77-3442 to 77-3444, political subdivision means a political subdivision of this state and a county agricultural society.
(14) For school districts that file a binding resolution on or before May 9, 2008, with the county assessors, county clerks, and county treasurers for all counties in which the school district has territory pursuant to subsection (7) of section 79-458, if the combined levies, except levies for bonded indebtedness approved by the voters of the school district and levies for the refinancing of such bonded indebtedness, are in excess of the greater of (a) one dollar and twenty cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation of property subject to the levy or (b) the maximum levy authorized by a vote pursuant to section 77-3444, all school district levies, except levies for bonded indebtedness approved by the voters of the school district and levies for the refinancing of such bonded indebtedness, shall be considered unauthorized levies under section 77-1606.
Source:Laws 1998, LB 1104, § 17;Laws 1999, LB 87, § 87; Laws 1999, LB 141, § 11; Laws 1999, LB 437, § 26; Laws 2001, LB 142, § 57; Laws 2002, LB 568, § 9; Laws 2002, LB 898, § 1; Laws 2002, LB 1085, § 19; Laws 2003, LB 540, § 2; Laws 2004, LB 962, § 110; Laws 2004, LB 1093, § 1; Laws 2005, LB 38, § 2; Laws 2006, LB 968, § 12; Laws 2006, LB 1024, § 14; Laws 2006, LB 1226, § 30; Laws 2007, LB342, § 31; Laws 2007, LB641, § 4; Laws 2007, LB701, § 33; Laws 2008, LB988, § 2; Laws 2008, LB1154, § 5.
Note: The Revisor of Statutes has pursuant to section 49-769 correlated LB988, section 2, with LB1154, section 5, to reflect all amendments.
Note Changes made by LB988 became effective April 3, 2008. Changes made by LB1154 became effective July 18, 2008.
Cross References Community College Foundation and Equalization Act, see section 85-2201. Interlocal Cooperation Act, see section 13-801. Joint Public Agency Act, see section 13-2501. Nebraska Ground Water Management and Protection Act, see section 46-701. Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act, see section 79-1001.
(1) All political subdivisions, other than (a) school districts, community colleges, natural resources districts, educational service units, cities, villages, counties, municipal counties, and sanitary and improvement districts and (b) political subdivisions subject to municipal allocation under subsection (2) of this section, may levy taxes as authorized by law which are authorized by the county board of the county or the council of a municipal county in which the greatest portion of the valuation is located, which are counted in the county or municipal county levy limit provided in section 77-3442, and which do not collectively total more than fifteen cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation on any parcel or item of taxable property for all governments for which allocations are made by the municipality, county, or municipal county, except that such limitation shall not apply to property tax levies for preexisting lease-purchase contracts approved prior to July 1, 1998, for bonded indebtedness approved according to law and secured by a levy on property, and for payments by a public airport to retire interest-free loans from the Department of Aeronautics in lieu of bonded indebtedness at a lower cost to the public airport. The county board or council shall review and approve or disapprove the levy request of all political subdivisions subject to this subsection. The county board or council may approve all or a portion of the levy request and may approve a levy request that would allow the requesting political subdivision to levy a tax at a levy greater than that permitted by law. The county board of a county or the council of a municipal county which contains a transit authority created pursuant to section 14-1803 shall allocate no less than three cents per one hundred dollars of taxable property within the city or municipal county subject to the levy to the transit authority if requested by such authority. For any political subdivision subject to this subsection that receives taxes from more than one county or municipal county, the levy shall be allocated only by the county or municipal county in which the greatest portion of the valuation is located. The county board of equalization shall certify all levies by October 15 to insure that the taxes levied by political subdivisions subject to this subsection do not exceed the allowable limit for any parcel or item of taxable property. The levy allocated by the county or municipal county may be exceeded as provided in section 77-3444.
(2) All city airport authorities established under the Cities Airport Authorities Act, community redevelopment authorities established under the Community Development Law, transit authorities established under the Transit Authority Law, and offstreet parking districts established under the Offstreet Parking District Act may be allocated property taxes as authorized by law which are authorized by the city, village, or municipal county and are counted in the city or village levy limit or municipal county levy limit provided by section 77-3442, except that such limitation shall not apply to property tax levies for preexisting lease-purchase contracts approved prior to July 1, 1998, for bonded indebtedness approved according to law and secured by a levy on property, and for payments by a public airport to retire interest-free loans from the Department of Aeronautics in lieu of bonded indebtedness at a lower cost to the public airport. For offstreet parking districts established under the Offstreet Parking District Act, the tax shall be counted in the allocation by the city proportionately, by dividing the total taxable valuation of the taxable property within the district by the total taxable valuation of the taxable property within the city multiplied by the levy of the district. The city council of a city which has created a transit authority pursuant to section 14-1803 or the council of a municipal county which contains a transit authority shall allocate no less than three cents per one hundred dollars of taxable property subject to the levy to the transit authority if requested by such authority. The city council, village board, or council shall review and approve or disapprove the levy request of the political subdivisions subject to this subsection. The city council, village board, or council may approve all or a portion of the levy request and may approve a levy request that would allow a levy greater than that permitted by law. The levy allocated by the municipality or municipal county may be exceeded as provided in section 77-3444.
(3) On or before August 1, all political subdivisions subject to county, municipal, or municipal county levy authority under this section shall submit a preliminary request for levy allocation to the county board, city council, village board, or council that is responsible for levying such taxes. The preliminary request of the political subdivision shall be in the form of a resolution adopted by a majority vote of members present of the political subdivision’s governing body. The failure of a political subdivision to make a preliminary request shall preclude such political subdivision from using procedures set forth in section 77-3444 to exceed the final levy allocation as determined in subsection (4) of this section.
(4) Each county board, city council, village board, or council shall (a) adopt a resolution by a majority vote of members present which determines a final allocation of levy authority to its political subdivisions and (b) forward a copy of such resolution to the chairperson of the governing body of each of its political subdivisions. No final levy allocation shall be changed after September 1 except by agreement between both the county board, city council, village board, or council which determined the amount of the final levy allocation and the governing body of the political subdivision whose final levy allocation is at issue.
Source: Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 2; Laws 1997, LB 269, § 57; Laws 1998, LB 306, § 37; Laws 1999, LB 141, § 12; Laws 2001, LB 142, § 58; Laws 2002, LB 994, § 26.
Cross References Cities Airport Authorities Act, see section 3-514. Community Development Law, see section 18-2101. Offstreet Parking District Act, see section 19-3301.
77-3444 AUTHORITY TO EXCEED MAXIMUM LEVY; PROCEDURE.
(1) A political subdivision, other than a Class I school district, may exceed the limits provided in section 77-3442 or a final levy allocation determination as provided in section 77-3443 by an amount not to exceed a maximum levy approved by a majority of registered voters voting on the issue in a primary, general, or special election at which the issue is placed before the registered voters. A vote to exceed the limits provided in section 77-3442 or a final levy allocation as provided in section 77-3443 must be approved prior to October 10 of the fiscal year which is to be the first to exceed the limits or final levy allocation. The governing body of the political subdivision may call for the submission of the issue to the voters (a) by passing a resolution calling for exceeding the limits or final levy allocation by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the governing body and delivering a copy of the resolution to the county clerk or election commissioner of every county which contains all or part of the political subdivision or (b) upon receipt of a petition by the county clerk or election commissioner of every county containing all or part of the political subdivision requesting an election signed by at least five percent of the registered voters residing in the political subdivision. The resolution or petition shall include the amount of levy which would be imposed in excess of the limits provided in section 77-3442 or the final levy allocation as provided in section 77-3443 and the duration of the excess levy authority. The excess levy authority shall not have a duration greater than five years. Any resolution or petition calling for a special election shall be filed with the county clerk or election commissioner no later than thirty days prior to the date of the election, and the time of publication and providing a copy of the notice of election required in section 32-802 shall be no later than twenty days prior to the election. The county clerk or election commissioner shall place the issue on the ballot at an election as called for in the resolution or petition which is at least thirty days after receipt of the resolution or petition. The election shall be held pursuant to the Election Act. For petitions filed with the county clerk or election commissioner on or after May 1, 1998, the petition shall be in the form as provided in sections 32-628 to 32-631. Any excess levy authority approved under this section shall terminate pursuant to its terms, on a vote of the governing body of the political subdivision to terminate the authority to levy more than the limits, at the end of the fourth fiscal year following the first year in which the levy exceeded the limit or the final levy allocation, or as provided in subsection (4) of this section, whichever is earliest. A governing body may pass no more than one resolution calling for an election pursuant to this section during any one calendar year. Only one election may be held in any one calendar year pursuant to a petition initiated under this section.
(2) The ballot question may include any terms and conditions set forth in the resolution or petition and shall include the following: “Shall (name of political subdivision) be allowed to levy a property tax not to exceed ………… cents per one hundred dollars of taxable valuation in excess of the limits prescribed by law until fiscal year ………… for the purposes of (general operations; building construction, remodeling, or site acquisition; or both general operations and building construction, remodeling, or site acquisition)?”. If a majority of the votes cast upon the ballot question are in favor of such tax, the county board shall authorize a tax in excess of the limits in section 77-3442 or the final levy allocation in section 77-3443 but such tax shall not exceed the amount stated in the ballot question. If a majority of those voting on the ballot question are opposed to such tax, the governing body of the political subdivision shall not impose such tax.
(3) In lieu of the election procedures in subsection (1) of this section, any political subdivision subject to section 77-3443, other than a Class I school district, and villages may approve a levy in excess of the limits in section 77-3442 or the final levy allocation provided in section 77-3443 for a period of one year at a meeting of the residents of the political subdivision or village, called after notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation in the political subdivision or village at least twenty days prior to the meeting. At least ten percent of the registered voters residing in the political subdivision or village shall constitute a quorum for purposes of taking action to exceed the limits or final levy allocation. A record shall be made of the registered voters residing in the political subdivision or village who are present at the meeting. The method of voting at the meeting shall protect the secrecy of the ballot. If a majority of the registered voters present at the meeting vote in favor of exceeding the limits or final levy allocation, a copy of the record of that action shall be forwarded to the county board prior to October 10 and the county board shall authorize a levy as approved by the residents for the year. If a majority of the registered voters present at the meeting vote against exceeding the limits or final allocation, the limit or allocation shall not be exceeded and the political subdivision shall have no power to call for an election under subsection (1) of this section.
(4) A political subdivision, other than a Class I school district, may rescind or modify a previously approved excess levy authority prior to its expiration by a majority of registered voters voting on the issue in a primary, general, or special election at which the issue is placed before the registered voters. A vote to rescind or modify must be approved prior to October 10 of the fiscal year for which it is to be effective. The governing body of the political subdivision may call for the submission of the issue to the voters (a) by passing a resolution calling for the rescission or modification by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the governing body and delivering a copy of the resolution to the county clerk or election commissioner of every county which contains all or part of the political subdivision or (b) upon receipt of a petition by the county clerk or election commissioner of every county containing all or part of the political subdivision requesting an election signed by at least five percent of the registered voters residing in the political subdivision. The resolution or petition shall include the amount and the duration of the previously approved excess levy authority and a statement that either such excess levy authority will be rescinded or such excess levy authority will be modified. If the excess levy authority will be modified, the amount and duration of such modification shall be stated. The modification shall not have a duration greater than five years. The county clerk or election commissioner shall place the issue on the ballot at an election as called for in the resolution or petition which is at least thirty days after receipt of the resolution or petition, and the time of publication and providing a copy of the notice of election required in section 32-802 shall be no later than twenty days prior to the election. The election shall be held pursuant to the Election Act.
(5) For purposes of this section, when the political subdivision is a sanitary and improvement district, registered voter means a person qualified to vote as provided in section 31-735. Any election conducted under this section for a sanitary and improvement district shall be conducted and counted as provided in sections 31-735 to 31-735.06.
(6) For purposes of this section, when the political subdivision is a school district or a multiple-district school system, registered voter includes both (a) persons qualified to vote for the members of the school board of the school district which is voting to exceed the maximum levy limits pursuant to this section and (b) persons in those portions of any Class I district which are affiliated with or a part of the school district which is voting pursuant to this section, if such voter is also qualified to vote for the school board of the affected Class I school district.
Source: Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 3; Laws 1997, LB 269, § 58; Laws 1997, LB 343, § 1; Laws 1997, LB 806, § 4; Laws 1998, LB 306, § 38; Laws 1998, LB 1104, § 18; Laws 1999, LB 141, § 13; Laws 2007, LB289, § 1.
Cross Reference: Election Act, see section 32‑101.
84-1408 DECLARATION OF INTENT; MEETINGS OPEN TO PUBLIC.
It is hereby declared to be the policy of this state that the formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.
Every meeting of a public body shall be open to the public in order that citizens may exercise their democratic privilege of attending and speaking at meetings of public bodies, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of Nebraska, federal statutes, and the Open Meetings Act.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 325, § 1;Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1071;Laws 2004, LB 821, § 35.
Annotations Nebraska’s public meetings laws do not apply to school board deliberations pertaining solely to disputed adjudicative facts. McQuinn v. Douglas Cty. Sch. Dist. No. 66, 259 Neb. 720, 612 N.W.2d 198 (2000).
The primary purpose of the public meetings law is to ensure that public policy is formulated at open meetings. Marks v. Judicial Nominating Comm., 236 Neb. 429, 461 N.W.2d 551 (1990).
The public meetings law is broadly interpreted and liberally construed to obtain the objective of openness in favor of the public, and provisions permitting closed sessions must be narrowly and strictly construed. Grein v. Board of Education of Fremont, 216 Neb. 158, 343 N.W.2d 718 (1984).
(3) Videoconferencing means conducting a meeting involving participants at two or more locations through the use of audio-video equipment which allows participants at each location to hear and see each meeting participant at each other location, including public input. Interaction between meeting participants shall be possible at all meeting locations.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 325, § 2; Laws 1983, LB 43, § 1; Laws 1989, LB 429, § 42; Laws 1989, LB 311, § 14; Laws 1992, LB 1019, § 124; Laws 1993, LB 635, § 1; Laws 1996, LB 1044, § 978; Laws 1997, LB 798, § 37; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 36; Laws 2007, LB296, § 810.
Annotations: A township is a political subdivision, and as such, a township board is subject to the provisions of the public meetings laws. Steenblock v. Elkhorn Township Bd., 245 Neb. 722, 515 N.W.2d 128 (1994).
A county agricultural society is a public body to which the provisions of the Nebraska public meetings law are applicable. Nixon v. Madison Co. Ag. Soc’y, 217 Neb. 37, 348 N.W.2d 119 (1984).
Failure by a public governing body, as defined under section 84-1409, R.R.S.1943, to take and record a roll call vote on an action, as required by section 84-1413(2), R.S.Supp.,1980, grants any citizen the right to sue for the purpose of having the action declared void. In this case such failure could not be later corrected by a nunc pro tunc order because there was no showing that a roll call vote on the disputed action was actually taken, and even if it was the record showed it was not recorded until over a year later. Sections 23-1301, R.R.S.1943, and 23-1302, R.R.S.1943, make it the duty of the county clerk to record proceedings of the board of county commissioners. State ex rel. Schuler v. Dunbar, 208 Neb. 69, 302 N.W.2d 674 (1981).
The meeting at issue in this case was a “meeting” within the parameters of subsection (2) of this section because it involved the discussion of public business, the formation of tentative policy, or the taking of any action of the public power district. Hansmeyer v. Nebraska Pub. Power Dist., 6 Neb. App. 889, 578 N.W.2d 476 (1998).
Informational sessions in which the governmental body hears reports are briefings. Johnson v. Nebraska Environmental Control Council, 2 Neb. App. 263, 509 N.W.2d 21 (1993).
84-1410 CLOSED SESSION; WHEN; PURPOSE; REASONS LISTED; PROCEDURE; RIGHT TO CHALLENGE; PROHIBITED ACTS; CHANCE MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS, OR WORKSHOPS.
(d) Evaluation of the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting.
Nothing in this section shall permit a closed meeting for discussion of the appointment or election of a new member to any public body.
(2) The vote to hold a closed session shall be taken in open session. The entire motion, the vote of each member on the question of holding a closed session, and the time when the closed session commenced and concluded shall be recorded in the minutes. If the motion to close passes, then the presiding officer immediately prior to the closed session shall restate on the record the limitation of the subject matter of the closed session. The public body holding such a closed session shall restrict its consideration of matters during the closed portions to only those purposes set forth in the motion to close as the reason for the closed session. The meeting shall be reconvened in open session before any formal action may be taken. For purposes of this section, formal action shall mean a collective decision or a collective commitment or promise to make a decision on any question, motion, proposal, resolution, order, or ordinance or formation of a position or policy but shall not include negotiating guidance given by members of the public body to legal counsel or other negotiators in closed sessions authorized under subdivision (1)(a) of this section.
(3) Any member of any public body shall have the right to challenge the continuation of a closed session if the member determines that the session has exceeded the reason stated in the original motion to hold a closed session or if the member contends that the closed session is neither clearly necessary for (a) the protection of the public interest or (b) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Such challenge shall be overruled only by a majority vote of the members of the public body. Such challenge and its disposition shall be recorded in the minutes.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that any meeting be closed to the public. No person or public body shall fail to invite a portion of its members to a meeting, and no public body shall designate itself a subcommittee of the whole body for the purpose of circumventing the Open Meetings Act. No closed session, informal meeting, chance meeting, social gathering, email, fax, or other electronic communication shall be used for the purpose of circumventing the requirements of the act.
(5) The act does not apply to chance meetings or to attendance at or travel to conventions or workshops of members of a public body at which there is no meeting of the body then intentionally convened, if there is no vote or other action taken regarding any matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power.
2006, LB 898, § 1.
Annotations: If a person present at a meeting observes a public meetings law violation in the form of an improper closed session and fails to object, that person waives his or her right to object at a later date. Wasikowski v. Nebraska Quality Jobs Bd., 264 Neb. 403, 648 N.W.2d 756 (2002).
The public interest mentioned in this section is that shared by citizens in general and by the community at large concerning pecuniary or legal rights and liabilities. Grein v. Board of Education, 216 Neb. 158, 343 N.W.2d 718 (1984).
Hearing in closed executive session was contrary to this section since there was no showing of necessity or reason under subdivision (1)(a), (b), or (c), but did not result in reversal of board decision. Simonds v. Board of Examiners, 213 Neb. 259, 329 N.W.2d 92 (1983).
Negotiations for the purchase of land need not be conducted at an open meeting but the deliberations of a city council as to whether an offer to purchase real estate should be made should take place in an open meeting. Pokorny v. City of Schuyler, 202 Neb. 334, 275 N.W.2d 281 (1979).
Public meeting law was not violated where the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska voted to hold a closed session to consider the university president’s resignation, and also discussed the appointment of an interim president during such session. Meyer v. Board of Regents, 1 Neb. App. 893, 510 N.W.2d 450 (1993).
84-1411 MEETINGS OF PUBLIC BODY; NOTICE; CONTENTS; WHEN AVAILABLE; RIGHT TO MODIFY; DUTIES CONCERNING NOTICE; VIDEOCONFERENCING OR TELEPHONE CONFERENCING AUTHORIZED; EMERGENCY MEETING WITHOUT NOTICE; APPEARANCE BEFORE PUBLIC BODY.
(1) Each public body shall give reasonable advance publicized notice of the time and place of each meeting by a method designated by each public body and recorded in its minutes. Such notice shall be transmitted to all members of the public body and to the public. Such notice shall contain an agenda of subjects known at the time of the publicized notice or a statement that the agenda, which shall be kept continually current, shall be readily available for public inspection at the principal office of the public body during normal business hours. Agenda items shall be sufficiently descriptive to give the public reasonable notice of the matters to be considered at the meeting. Except for items of an emergency nature, the agenda shall not be altered later than (a) twenty-four hours before the scheduled commencement of the meeting or (b) forty-eight hours before the scheduled commencement of a meeting of a city council or village board scheduled outside the corporate limits of the municipality. The public body shall have the right to modify the agenda to include items of an emergency nature only at such public meeting.
(e) No more than one-half of the state entity’s, advisory committee’s, or governing body’s meetings in a calendar year are held by videoconference or telephone conference.
Videoconferencing, telephone conferencing, or conferencing by other electronic communication shall not be used to circumvent any of the public government purposes established in the Open Meetings Act.
(h) No more than one-half of the entity’s or pool’s meetings in a calendar year are held by telephone conference call.
Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the participation of consultants, members of the press, and other nonmembers of the governing body at sites not identified in the public notice. Telephone conference calls, emails, faxes, or other electronic communication shall not be used to circumvent any of the public government purposes established in the Open Meetings Act.
(4) The secretary or other designee of each public body shall maintain a list of the news media requesting notification of meetings and shall make reasonable efforts to provide advance notification to them of the time and place of each meeting and the subjects to be discussed at that meeting.
(5) When it is necessary to hold an emergency meeting without reasonable advance public notice, the nature of the emergency shall be stated in the minutes and any formal action taken in such meeting shall pertain only to the emergency. Such emergency meetings may be held by means of electronic or telecommunication equipment. The provisions of subsection (4) of this section shall be complied with in conducting emergency meetings. Complete minutes of such emergency meetings specifying the nature of the emergency and any formal action taken at the meeting shall be made available to the public by no later than the end of the next regular business day.
(6) A public body may allow a member of the public or any other witness other than a member of the public body to appear before the public body by means of video or telecommunications equipment.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 325, § 4; Laws 1983, LB 43, § 3; Laws 1987, LB 663, § 25; Laws 1993, LB 635, § 2; Laws 1996, LB 469, § 6; Laws 1996, LB 1161, § 1; Laws 1999, LB 47, § 2; Laws 1999, LB 87, § 100; Laws 1999, LB 461, § 1; Laws 2000, LB 968, § 85; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 38; Laws 2004, LB 1179, § 2; Laws 2006, LB 898, § 2; Laws 2007, LB199, § 9.
Cross References: Intergovernmental Risk Management Act, see section 44-4301. Interlocal Cooperation Act, see section 13-801. Joint Public Agency Act, see section 13-2501. Municipal Cooperative Financing Act, see section 18-2401.
Annotations An emergency is “(a)ny event or occasional combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action or remedy; pressing necessity; exigency; a sudden or unexpected happening; an unforeseen occurrence or condition.” Steenblock v. Elkhorn Township Bd., 245 Neb. 722, 515 N.W.2d 128 (1994).
An agenda which gives reasonable notice of the matters to be considered at a meeting of a city council complies with the requirements of this section. Pokorny v. City of Schuyler, 202 Neb. 334, 275 N.W.2d 281 (1979).
When notice is required, a notice of a special meeting of a city council posted in three public places at 10:00 p.m. on the day preceding the meeting is not reasonable advance publicized notice of a meeting as is required by this section. Pokorny v. City of Schuyler, 202 Neb. 334, 275 N.W.2d 281 (1979).
An agenda notice which merely stated “work order reports” was an inadequate notice under this section because it did not give interested persons knowledge that plans for a 345 kv transmission line through the district was going to be discussed and voted upon at the meeting. Inadequate agenda notice under this section meant there was a substantial violation of the public meeting laws; however, later actions by the board of directors cured the defects in notice, and such actions were in substantial compliance with the statute. Hansmeyer v. Nebraska Pub. Power Dist., 6 Neb. App. 889, 578 N.W.2d 476 (1998).No. 17, 197 Neb. 251, 248 N.W.2d 335 (1976).
84-1412 MEETINGS OF PUBLIC BODY; RIGHTS OF PUBLIC; PUBLIC BODY; POWERS AND DUTIES.
Subject to the Open Meetings Act, the public has the right to attend and the right to speak at meetings of public bodies, and all or any part of a meeting of a public body, except for closed sessions called pursuant to section 84-1410, may be videotaped, televised, photographed, broadcast, or recorded by any person in attendance by means of a tape recorder, camera, video equipment, or any other means of pictorial or sonic reproduction or in writing.
It shall not be a violation of subsection (1) of this section for any public body to make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations regarding the conduct of persons attending, speaking at, videotaping, televising, photographing, broadcasting, or recording its meetings. A body may not be required to allow citizens to speak at each meeting, but it may not forbid public participation at all meetings.
(3) No public body shall require members of the public to identify themselves as a condition for admission to the meeting nor shall such body require that the name of any member of the public be placed on the agenda prior to such meeting in order to speak about items on the agenda. The body may require any member of the public desiring to address the body to identify himself or herself.
(4) No public body shall, for the purpose of circumventing the Open Meetings Act, hold a meeting in a place known by the body to be too small to accommodate the anticipated audience.
(5) No public body shall be deemed in violation of this section if it holds its meeting in its traditional meeting place which is located in this state.
(g) The public body publishes notice of the out-of-state meeting at least twenty-one days before the date of the meeting in a legal newspaper of statewide circulation.
(7) The public body shall, upon request, make a reasonable effort to accommodate the public’s right to hear the discussion and testimony presented at the meeting.
(8) Public bodies shall make available at the meeting or the instate location for a telephone conference call or videoconference, for examination and copying by members of the public, at least one copy of all reproducible written material to be discussed at an open meeting. Public bodies shall make available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public. At the beginning of the meeting, the public shall be informed about the location of the posted information.
Annotations: To preserve an objection that a public body failed to make documents available at a public meeting as required by subsection (8) of this section, a person who attends a public meeting must not only object to the violation, but must make that objection to the public body or to a member of the public body. Stoetzel & Sons v. City of Hastings, 265 Neb. 637, 658 N.W.2d 636 (2003).
85-501. STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; NONRESIDENT FEES.
All state educational institutions shall charge nonresident fees to be paid by nonresidents of Nebraska who shall matriculate at any such institution, and the governing board of each institution may fix and collect such fees. Subject to the minimum standards provided by section 85-502, resident status shall be determined at the time of each registration according to rules and regulations which the governing board of each institution shall establish.
Source: Laws 1923, c. 57, § 1, p. 178; C.S.1929, § 85-501; R.S.1943, § 85-501; Laws 1947, c. 355, § 1, p. 1106; Laws 1980, LB 304, § 1.
85-502. STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION; RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS.
(8) Such person is a graduate of a high school of this state or has been previously registered in a state educational institution at a time when he or she was a resident of this state.
Source: Laws 1923, c. 57, § 4, p. 179; C.S.1929, § 85-504; R.S.1943, § 85-502; Laws 1951, c. 348, § 1, p. 1137; Laws 1961, c. 458, § 1, p. 1397; Laws 1965, c. 582, § 1, p. 1877; Laws 1971, LB 408, § 1; Laws 1980, LB 304, § 2; Laws 1982, LB 796, § 1.
Annotations Requirement of continuous residency of four months independent of school attendance to establish residence for tuition purposes does not infringe on one’s constitutional rights. Thompson v. Board of Regents of University of Nebraska, 187 Neb. 252, 188 N.W.2d 840 (1971).
85-502.01. Repealed. Laws 1980, LB 304, s. 3.
85-502.02. Repealed. Laws 1980, LB 304, s. 3.
85-503. STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; TUITION.
All state institutions are empowered to fix tuition and other fees to be paid by students residing in Nebraska.
Source Laws 1923, c. 57, § 2, p. 178; C.S.1929, § 85-502.
85-504. STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS; FEES; WAIVER.
Rules may be made by each institution for waiving or refunding fees to students maintaining high scholarship, or to those who, maintaining satisfactory scholarship, are in need of financial assistance.
Source: Laws 1923, c. 57, § 3, p. 178; C.S.1929, § 85-503.
(7) Provide a mechanism for (a) implementing an extensive change in the scope, role, and mission of a campus, (b) closing a campus, (c) merging campuses, and (d) changing a campus to serve a completely different public purpose.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 1; Laws 1984, LB 981, § 18; Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1080.
For purposes of sections 85-917 to 85-966, unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions found in sections 85-919 to 85-932.01 shall be used.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 2; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 8.
Instructional activities shall mean those degree-credit and non-degree-credit courses and programs delivered to complete specific degree and nondegree learner objectives.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 3.
Research activities shall mean those activities intended to create new knowledge or provide for the application of existing or newly created knowledge. Research activities may be carried out in conjunction with a system or area’s instructional program or as a separately identifiable activity.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 4.
85-921 PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES, DEFINED.
Public service activities shall mean those programs established to make available to the public the particular resources of a system, area, or institution for the purpose of responding to a statewide, regional, or community need. Within this category may be included the following activities: (1) Direct patient care; (2) health care supportive services; (3) community services; (4) cooperative agricultural extension; (5) public broadcasting services; (6) cultural, recreational, and personal development activities; (7) economic development activities; and (8) continuing education for occupations and professions. Adult, basic, and continuing education programs or services shall not be included in the subcategory of community services.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 5; Laws 1991, LB 663, § 89; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 10.
Program responsibility shall mean a system, area, or institution having designated statewide or regional administrative, planning, and academic responsibility for a general or specific program area.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 6.
85-923 COOPERATIVE PROGRAM DELIVERY, DEFINED.
Cooperative program delivery shall mean the provision for two or more systems, areas, or institutions to participate in the planning or delivery of a program or service in a specific or general area; with one system, area, or institution having administrative and academic responsibility for the program.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 7.
85-924 REGIONAL PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY, DEFINED.
Regional program responsibility shall mean an identifiable geographic area for service delivery by a system, area, or institution. The intrastate or interstate area or region serves as the base for justifying existing and proposed new or expanded program responsibilities.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 8.
85-925 COMPREHENSIVE DEGREE OFFERINGS, DEFINED.
Comprehensive degree offerings shall mean the awarding by a system, area, or institution of degrees, including but not limited to associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, or doctorate, in a variety of academic or vocational program areas.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 9.
85-926 GENERAL ACADEMIC TRANSFER PROGRAMS, DEFINED.
General academic transfer programs shall mean those one-year or two-year degree-credit programs, at the associate degree level or below including liberal arts and sciences degrees or courses, intended by the offering institution for transfer into a baccalaureate program. Programs in this category may include the award of a formal degree upon completion of the program.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 10; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 11.
85-927 APPLIED TECHNOLOGY AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION, DEFINED.
Applied technology and occupational education shall mean those instructional programs at the associate degree level or below including associate of applied science degrees, diplomas, certificates, and course work intended to prepare individuals for immediate entry into a specific occupation or career, to upgrade skills, or to acquire new skills. Programs in this category may include the award of a formal degree, diploma, or certificate upon completion of the program.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 11; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 12.
85-928 BACCALAUREATE GENERAL ACADEMIC, DEFINED.
Baccalaureate general academic shall mean those degree programs intended by an institution to prepare an individual to function in a variety of different career areas or to prepare such individual for further academic study. Programs at this level shall allow an individual to acquire a general education at the baccalaureate level in arts, sciences, and humanities.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 12.
Baccalaureate occupational shall mean those degree programs intended by an institution to prepare an individual for a specific occupation or career. Such programs include but are not limited to: (1) Agriculture and natural resources; (2) communications; (3) business and management; (4) computer and information sciences; (5) home economics; (6) fine and applied arts; and (7) specific areas in the social sciences.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 13.
Baccalaureate professional shall mean those degree programs intended by an institution to prepare an individual for certification or licensure by a national-, regional-, or state-level certifying or licensing agency. Such programs include but are not limited to: (1) Engineering; (2) education; (3) allied health professions; (4) nursing; and (5) architecture.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 14.
85-931 GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, DEFINED.
(2) Master’s degree being the earned degree carrying the title Master. The master’s degree is the first advanced graduate degree conferred in professional programs and general academic and occupational programs. Master’s degree professional programs include but are not limited to (a) Engineering; (b) education; (c) allied health professions; (d) nursing; (e) architecture, specialties; (f) community and regional planning; (g) dentistry; (h) medicine, specialties; (i) optometry; (j) osteopathic medicine; (k) pharmacy; (l) podiatry; (m) social work; (n) veterinary medicine; (o) chiropractic; (p) law, specialties; and (q) theology, specialties.
Master’s degree programs in general academic and occupational areas include but are not limited to: (a) Mathematics; (b) languages; (c) biological and physical sciences; (d) letters; (e) fine arts; (f) social sciences; (g) agriculture and natural resources; (h) communications; (i) business and management; (j) computer and information sciences; (k) home economics; and (l) fine and applied arts; and (3) Doctoral degree being an earned academic degree conveying the title of Doctor. Doctoral degrees include but are not limited to: Doctor of Philosophy; Doctor of Education; and Doctor of Arts.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 15; Laws 1994, LB 683, § 7.
85-932. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS, DEFINED.
Continuing education for occupations and professions shall mean training or education that is not a part of a terminal degree or certificate program, but is related to an individual’s existing or proposed area of occupation or profession.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 16.
Foundations education shall mean education which includes remedial and developmental programs, adult basic education, general education development, English as a second language, compensatory education, and refresher courses.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, § 9.
85-933 EXPENDITURES IN CONFLICT WITH ROLE AND MISSION ASSIGNMENTS; PROHIBITED.
No funds generated or received from a General Fund appropriation, state aid assistance program, or receipts from a tax levy authorized by statute shall be expended in support of programs or activities which are in conflict with the role and mission assignments applicable to the University of Nebraska, state colleges, or community colleges under sections 79-741, 79-744, 85-194, 85-308, 85-606.01, 85-917 to 85-966, and 85-1511.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 17; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 261; Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1081.
85-934 NONDEGREE RECREATIONAL AND AVOCATIONAL COURSES; SELF-SUPPORTING; EXCEPTION.
All direct costs of nondegree recreational and avocational courses shall, on the average, be self-supporting through student tuition and fee charges or designated grants or contracts by July 1, 1979. This section shall not apply to the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Nebraska.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, § 18.
85‑959 COMMUNITY COLLEGES; ROLE AND MISSION ASSIGNMENTS.
The role and mission assignments enumerated in sections 85‑960 to 85‑965 shall apply to the community college system and its areas and campuses. Such assignments shall prohibit, limit, or restrict only those programs or services provided for under such sections.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 43.
85‑960 COMMUNITY COLLEGES; PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES; RESPONSIBILITY.
The community colleges shall be responsible for public service activities within each area.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 44.
85‑960.01 COMMUNITY COLLEGES; APPLIED RESEARCH ACTIVITIES PERMITTED.
Applied research activities of the community college areas shall be directly related to the enhancement of the instructional programs, student achievement, institutional effectiveness, public service activities, and the professional development of the faculty.
Source: Laws 1991, LB 663, ‘ 100; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 15.
85‑960.02 COMMUNITY COLLEGES; FOUNDATIONS EDUCATION.
The community college areas shall serve as the primary public postsecondary institutions for foundations education.
Source: Laws 1991, LB 663, ‘ 101; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 16.
85‑961 COMMUNITY COLLEGES; RESPONSIBILITY IN LESS THAN BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAM AREAS.
The community colleges shall have, except in specified program areas authorized by statute and the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, sole responsibility for the award of associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in less than baccalaureate degree program areas approved by the commission pursuant to sections 85‑1413 and 85‑1414.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 45; Laws 1991, LB 663, ‘ 102.
85‑962 COMMUNITY COLLEGES; LEGISLATIVE INTENT; INSTRUCTIONAL AND SERVICE PRIORITIES.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the community colleges shall be student‑centered, open‑access institutions primarily devoted to quality instruction and public service, providing counseling and other student services intended to promote the success of a diverse student population, particularly those who have been traditionally underserved in other educational settings. The community colleges, individually and collectively, shall have as their first instructional and service priority applied technology and occupational education and, when necessary, foundations education. The second instructional and service priority of the community colleges shall be transfer education, including general academic transfer programs, or applied technology and occupational programs which may be applicable to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program, and, when necessary, foundations education. The third instructional and service priority of the community colleges shall be public service, particularly adult continuing education for occupations and professions, economic and community development focused on customized occupational assessment and job training programs for businesses and communities, and avocational and personal development courses. The fourth instructional and service priority of the community colleges shall be applied research.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 46; Laws 1991, LB 663, ‘ 103; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 17.
85‑963 COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREAS; GENERAL ACADEMIC TRANSFER PROGRAMS; CAMPUSES PROVIDED; LIMITATIONS.
The community college areas may provide general academic transfer programs at the following campuses: Southeast Community College Area at the Fairbury‑Beatrice Campus; Central Community College Area at the Columbus Campus; Metropolitan Community College Area at the Fort Omaha Campus; Mid‑Plains Community College Area at the McCook and North Platte Campuses; Northeast Community College Area at the Norfolk Campus; and Western Community College Area at the Scottsbluff Campus.
In conjunction with and consistent with its determinations regarding transfers of credit, admission standards, and remedial programs pursuant to section 85‑1413, the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education may authorize any or all of the campuses of community college areas not listed in this section to also provide general academic transfer programs.
The delivery of general academic transfer program services shall be limited to those areas and campuses specifically provided for by this section or the commission. The community college areas are encouraged to work in cooperation with the University of Nebraska and the state colleges for the articulation of general academic transfer programs of the six community college areas.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 47; Laws 1981, LB 320, ‘ 4; Laws 1984, LB 993, ‘ 1; Laws 1991, LB 663, ‘ 104; Laws 1994, LB 683, ‘ 9.
85‑964 COMMUNITY COLLEGES; ACADEMIC COURSE INSTRUCTION AUTHORIZED.
The community colleges may provide such academic course instruction as may be necessary to support applied technology education and academic transfer programs.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 48; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 18.
85‑965 COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA; EDUCATION PROGRAMS; CONTRACT TO PROVIDE.
Any community college area or institution may contract to provide for the delivery of education programs within institutions operated by any state agency or within any geographic area administered by a federal agency or tribal authority.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 49.
The Legislature acknowledges the provisions of Article VII, sections 10, 13, and 14, of the Constitution of Nebraska. The provisions of sections 85‑917 to 85‑966.01 reflect the philosophy of the State of Nebraska and shall be acknowledged as such and implemented by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges, the board of governors of each community college area, and the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 756, ‘ 56; Laws 1991, LB 663, ‘ 105; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 19; Laws 1994, LB 683, ‘ 10.
85-966.01 ROLE AND MISSION; LEGISLATIVE CHANGE; CONDITIONS.
After January 1, 1995, the Legislature shall not change the role and mission provisions in this section and sections 85-917 to 85-966 unless and until a proposal for such change has first been reviewed by the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education and its recommendations on such proposal have been given to the Legislature pursuant to subdivision (2) of section 85-1412, section 85-1414, or otherwise.
Source: Laws 1994, LB 683, § 11; Laws 2003, LB 7, § 4.
85-1501 DECLARATION OF INTENT AND PURPOSE.
The Legislature hereby declares that for a community college to be truly responsible to the people it serves, primary control of such colleges shall be placed in the citizens within the local area so served subject to coordination by the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. It is the intent and purpose of sections 85‑1501 to 85‑1540 to create locally governed and locally supported community college areas with the major educational emphasis on occupational education. Each community college area is intended to be an independent, local, unique, and vital segment of postsecondary education separate from both the established elementary and secondary school system and from other institutions of postsecondary education and is not to be converted into a four‑year, baccalaureate‑degree‑granting institution.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 1; Laws 1988, LB 802, ‘ 29; Laws 1991, LB 663, ‘ 44; R.S.Supp.,1992, ‘ 79‑2636; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 23; Laws 1997, LB 269, ‘ 66.
Annotations: Chapter 79, article 26, the Technical Community College Area Act, is not in violation of Article VIII, section 1A, of the Constitution. State ex rel. Western Technical Com. Col. Area v. Tallon, 196 Neb. 603, 244 N.W.2d 183 (1976).
The Legislature recognizes the need for and importance of a strong partnership with the community colleges to assure the continued economic growth of the state. In recognition of that partnership, the Legislature affirms that community colleges should be financed through a funding partnership from property tax, state aid, tuition, and other sources of revenue.
Source: Laws 1997, LB 269, ‘ 67.
85-1502 AREA GOVERNANCE AND STATEWIDE COORDINATION; LEGISLATIVE INTENT; ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS; POWERS AND DUTIES; SECTION, HOW CONSTRUED.
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature that a clear distinction between area governance and statewide coordination for the community college areas be recognized and that such coordination is appropriate in order to provide the most cost-effective programs for residents of each community college area. It is further the intent of the Legislature that coordination of the community colleges by the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education be conducted through an association of the boards.
(e) facilitation of responses to data and information requests for the system.
(3) All activities conducted pursuant to this section by such association shall be conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or provide for state control of the operations of any community college area or to abridge the governance ability, rights, or responsibilities of any board. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ability or authority of the commission to fulfill its responsibilities and duties regarding the individual community college areas and the individual community college area campuses.
Source: Laws 1991, LB 625, § 1; Laws 1991, LB 663, § 46; R.S.Supp.,1992, § 79-2636.01; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 24; Laws 2004, LB 821, § 43.
Cross Reference Open Meetings Act, see section 84-1407.
(26) Tribally controlled community college state aid amount means the quotient of the amount of state aid to be distributed pursuant to the Community College Foundation and Equalization Aid Act for the current fiscal year to a community college area in which a tribally controlled community college is located divided by the reimbursable educational unit total for such community college area for the immediately preceding fiscal year, with such quotient then multiplied by the average reimbursable educational units derived pursuant to subdivision (19) of this section for the immediately preceding fiscal year.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, § 2; Laws 1977, LB 459, § 10; Laws 1979, LB 363, § 1; Laws 1984, LB 890, § 1; Laws 1987, LB 329, § 1; Laws 1988, LB 802, § 30; Laws 1991, LB 663, § 45; Laws 1992, LB 921, § 1; R.S.Supp.,1992, § 79-2637; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 25; Laws 1995, LB 241, § 1; Laws 1997, LB 269, § 68; Laws 1999, LB 67, § 1; Laws 2005, LB 38, § 3; Laws 2007, LB342, § 40..
85-1504 COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREAS, DESIGNATED.
(6) The Metropolitan Community College Area shall consist of the following counties: Dodge, Washington, Douglas, and Sarpy.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 3; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2638; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 26; Laws 1999, LB 596, ‘ 1.
85-1505 COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA; BODY CORPORATE.
Each community college area shall constitute a body corporate and as such may sue and be sued.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 4; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2639; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 27.
85-1506 COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF GOVERNORS; MEMBERSHIP.
Each community college area shall be governed by a board composed of eleven members. The governing boards shall be known as the Community College Board of Governors for the community college area the board serves.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 5; Laws 1988, LB 802, ‘ 31; R.S.Supp.,1992, ‘ 79‑2640; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 28.
Annotations Chapter 79, article 26, the Technical Community College Area Act, is not in violation of Article VIII, section 1A, of the Constitution. State ex rel. Western Technical Com. Col. Area v. Tallon, 196 Neb. 603, 244 N.W.2d 183 (1976).
85-1507 BOARDS; OFFICERS; QUORUM REQUIRED TO PERFORM DUTIES.
Each board shall annually elect from among its members a chairperson and a vice‑chairperson, each to serve for one year. The board shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer, and one person may hold both such offices. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum, and no action shall be taken by less than a majority of the members present and voting, except that approval of employee contracts and the appropriation of money from the funds of the community college area shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of elected members of the board. For purposes of this section, appropriation shall mean the adoption or modification of budgets for the community college area.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 6; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2641; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 29; Laws 1995, LB 372, ‘ 1.
85-1508 COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES; BOND.
The officers and employees of a community college area authorized to handle funds shall furnish and maintain a corporate surety bond in an amount, in a form, and with sureties approved by the board. A copy of such bond shall be filed with the Secretary of State. The premium on such bond shall be paid by the community college.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 8; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2643; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 30.
Members of a board shall not receive a per diem. The board may reimburse members for their actual and necessary expenses incurred while carrying out their duties. Mileage expenses shall be computed at the rate provided in section 81‑1176. Sections 81‑1174, 81‑1175, and 81‑1177 shall serve as guidelines for the board when determining allowable expenses and reimbursement for such expenses.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 31.
85-1510. COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA; POWER TO INDEMNIFY; LIABILITY INSURANCE; PURCHASE.
(1) A community college area may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the community college area, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a board member or an officer, employee, or agent of the community college area, against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the community college area and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not of itself create a presumption that such person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the community college area and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
(2) A community college area may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the community college area to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a board member or an officer, employee, or agent of the community college area, against expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the community college area, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person was adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to the community college area unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court deems proper.
(3) To the extent that a board member or an officer, employee, or agent of a community college area has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in subsections (1) and (2) of this section or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter in such action, suit, or proceeding, such person shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorney’s fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such defense.
(4) Any indemnification under such subsections, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the community college area only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the board member or the officer, employee, or agent of the community college area is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in such subsections. Such determination shall be made by the board members by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of board members who were not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable or even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested board members so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
(5) Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by a community college area in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding as authorized in the manner provided in subsection (4) of this section upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the board member or officer, employee, or agent of the community college area to repay such amount unless it is ultimately determined that he or she is entitled to be indemnified by the community college area as authorized in this section.
(6) The indemnification provided by this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the person indemnified may be entitled under any agreement, either as to action in his or her official capacity or as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a board member or an officer, employee, or agent of a community college area and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.
(7) A community college area may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a board member or an officer, employee, or agent of a community college area against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the community college area would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under this section.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 32.
85-1511 BOARD; POWERS AND DUTIES; ENUMERATED.
(20) Exercise any other powers, duties, and responsibilities necessary to carry out sections 85-1501 to 85-1540.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, § 9; Laws 1977, LB 459, § 11; Laws 1978, LB 756, § 52; Laws 1979, LB 363, § 5; Laws 1987, LB 30, § 2; Laws 1988, LB 802, § 32; Laws 1991, LB 663, § 47; R.S.Supp.,1992, § 79-2644; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 33; Laws 1997, LB 269, § 69; Laws 2007, LB342, § 41.
Cross Reference Community College Foundation and Equalization Aid Act, see section 85-2201. Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education Act, see section 85-1401.
Annotations: This section charges the board of governors of a technical community college with the power, duty, and responsibility of establishing curriculum and employing members of the faculty. Cross v. Board of Governors, 204 Neb. 383, 281 N.W.2d 925 (1979).
Chapter 79, article 26, the Technical Community College Area Act, is not in violation of Article VIII, section 1A, of the Constitution. State ex rel. Western Technical Com. Col. Area v. Tallon, 196 Neb. 603, 244 N.W.2d 183 (1976).
85-1512. BOARDS; ESTABLISH ELECTION DISTRICTS; NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF MEMBERS; QUALIFICATIONS.
Each board shall divide the community college area into five election districts as nearly equal in population as may be practicable and shall transmit the appropriate information pertaining to such election districts to the Secretary of State and to the appropriate election officials within the area. Board members shall be nominated and elected as provided in section 32‑514. To be eligible for membership on the board, a person shall be a registered voter and shall have been a resident of the area for six months and, for members representing a district, a resident of the district for six months. No person shall be eligible to membership on a community college board of governors who is an elected or appointed member of any other board relating to education. Each member elected to represent a district shall be a resident of the district.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 11; Laws 1981, LB 446, ‘ 35; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2646; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 34; Laws 1994, LB 76, ‘ 612.
Laws 1994, LB 76, ‘ 615.
85-1514 VACANCY ON BOARD; PROCEDURE TO FILL; QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBER FILLING VACANCY.
(1) In addition to the events listed in section 32-560, a vacancy on any board shall exist in the event of the removal of a board member from the community college area for board members elected at large or community college district for board members elected by district. After notice and hearing, a vacancy shall also exist when any board member is absent from more than three consecutive regular meetings of the board unless such absences are excused by a majority of the remaining board members. In the event of a vacancy from any of such causes or otherwise, such vacancy shall be filled by the remaining board members for the balance of the unexpired term. Any person so named to fill a vacancy shall have the same qualifications as his or her immediate predecessor. Such appointment shall be made in writing and certified to the office of the Secretary of State.
(2) If after a primary election there is a vacancy upon the ballot, such vacancy shall be filled by a petition candidate pursuant to section 32-625.
(3) An incumbent shall not be permitted to hold over the term, but such office shall automatically become vacant and an appointment shall be made within one calendar month to fill such vacancy for the ensuing term. If there are vacancies in the offices of a majority of the members of the board, the Secretary of State shall conduct a special election to fill such vacancies.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, § 12; Laws 1986, LB 887, § 1; Laws 1989, LB 640, § 11; R.S.Supp.,1992, § 79-2647; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 36; Laws 1994, LB 76, § 613; Laws 2002, LB 251, § 7.
85-1515 BOARD; POWER TO SELL REVENUE AND GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS; PURPOSE; SINKING FUND; PURPOSE; ELECTION REQUIRED; WHEN; STATE LIABILITY.
(4) then for the purchasing, purchasing on contract, constructing, and improving of facilities necessary to carry out sections 85‑1501 to 85‑1540. Revenue bonds issued shall be subject to sections 85‑1520 to 85‑1527. No general obligation bonds shall be issued without the approval by a majority vote of the qualified electors of the community college area voting in an election called for such purpose pursuant to section 85‑1518. No bonds issued under sections 85‑1501 to 85‑1540 shall be an obligation of the State of Nebraska, and no state tax shall be levied to raise funds for the payment thereof or interest thereon.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 13; Laws 1978, LB 922, ‘ 4; Laws 1980, LB 824, ‘ 1; Laws 1987, LB 329, ‘ 2; Laws 1988, LB 802, ‘ 33; Laws 1992, LB 1001, ‘ 34; R.S.Supp.,1992, ‘ 79‑2648; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 37; Laws 1996, LB 900, ‘ 1083; Laws 1997, LB 269, ‘ 70.
85-1516 BOARD; POWER TO ISSUE WARRANTS; PURPOSE; LIMITATION; OBLIGATION OF AREA; HOW PAID.
Each board may issue warrants in an amount necessary to finance the operating expenses of the community college area until the proceeds of the tax levy as provided in section 85‑1517 are received. The amount of such warrants plus interest shall not exceed the amount of the money to be received from the property tax levy. Whenever such warrants are issued, they shall be the general obligation of the community college area and the full faith and credit of the community college area shall be pledged to retire such warrants. In addition the board shall set aside from the proceeds of the property tax levied pursuant to sections 85‑1501 to 85‑1540 an amount sufficient to pay the warrants and the interest on such warrants. Such warrants shall be subject to registration as provided in sections 77‑2201 to 77‑2215.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, ‘ 14; Laws 1988, LB 802, ‘ 34; R.S.Supp.,1992, ‘ 79‑2649; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 38; Laws 1997, LB 269, ‘ 71.
85-1517 BOARD; POWER TO CERTIFY TAX LEVY; LIMIT; PURPOSE; APPROVAL REQUIRED TO RAISE LEVY OVER LIMIT; HOW COLLECTED.
(1) The board may certify to the county board of equalization of each county within the community college area a tax levy not to exceed the maximum levy calculated pursuant to the Community College Foundation and Equalization Aid Act on each one hundred dollars on the taxable valuation of all property subject to the levy within the community college area, uniform throughout such area, for the purpose of supporting operating expenditures of the community college area.
(2)(a) In addition to the levies provided in subsection (1) of this section and this subsection, the board may certify to the county board of equalization of each county within the community college area a tax levy of not to exceed one cent on each one hundred dollars on the taxable valuation of all property within the community college area, uniform throughout such area, for the purpose of establishing a capital improvement fund and bond sinking fund as provided in section 85-1515.
(b) In addition to the levies provided in subsection (1) of this section and this subsection, the board may also certify to the county board of equalization of each county within the community college area a tax levy on each one hundred dollars on the taxable valuation of all property within the community college area, uniform throughout such area, in the amount which will produce funds only in the amount necessary to pay for funding accessibility barrier elimination project costs and abatement of environmental hazards as such terms are defined in section 79-10,110. Such tax levy shall not be so certified unless approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the board taken at a public meeting of the board following notice and a hearing. The board shall give at least seven days’ notice of such public hearing and shall publish such notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area to be affected by the increase.
(c) In addition to the levies provided in subsection (1) of this section and this subsection, the board of any community college area whose valuation per full-time equivalent student was less than eighty-two percent of the statewide average of all community colleges for fiscal year 1997-98 may also certify to the county board of equalization of each county within the community college area a tax levy up to an additional one-half cent for each of fiscal years 2005-06 and 2006-07, on each one hundred dollars on the taxable valuation of all property within the community college area, uniform throughout such area. Such tax levy shall not be so certified unless approved by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the board taken at a public meeting of the board following notice and a hearing. The board shall give at least seven days’ notice of such public hearing and shall publish such notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in the area to be affected by the increase.
(3) The levy provided by subdivision (2)(a) of this section may be exceeded by that amount necessary to retire the general obligation bonds assumed by the community college area or issued pursuant to section 85-1515 according to the terms of such bonds or for any obligation pursuant to section 85-1535 entered into prior to January 1, 1997.
(4) The tax shall be levied and assessed in the same manner as other property taxes and entered on the books of the county treasurer. The proceeds of the tax, as collected, shall be remitted to the treasurer of the board not less frequently than once each month.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, § 15; Laws 1978, LB 922, § 5; Laws 1979, LB 363, § 2; Laws 1979, LB 187, § 251; Laws 1980, LB 599, § 16; Laws 1980, LB 824, § 2; Laws 1981, LB 320, § 1; Laws 1984, LB 881, § 1; Laws 1986, LB 796, § 1; Laws 1988, LB 38, § 1; Laws 1990, LB 1050, § 1; Laws 1992, LB 719A, § 197; Laws 1992, LB 1001, § 35; R.S.Supp.,1992, § 79-2650; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 39; Laws 1995, LB 268, § 1; Laws 1996, LB 299, § 32; Laws 1996, LB 900, § 1084; Laws 1996, LB 1114, § 69; Laws 1997, LB 269, § 72; Laws 2005, LB 38, § 4; Laws 2007, LB342, § 42.
85-1518 TAX FUNDS; VOTER APPROVAL REQUIRED; PROCEDURE.
(1) If a board determines that it is necessary for the proper management and operation of the community college area to expend tax funds in a manner requiring a vote of the people, the board may by resolution place the proposition for such expenditure on the general or primary ballot or call for a special election in such area for the purpose of approving such expenditure. The proposition appearing on the ballot in any election shall state the purpose for which such tax funds will be spent and the amount of funds to be so expended. Such proposition shall be adopted if approved by a majority of those voting in such election.
(2) The resolution calling for the election and the election notice shall show the proposed purpose for which such tax funds will be expended and the amount of money sought.
(3) Notice of the election shall state the date of the election and the hours the polls will be open. Such notice shall be published in a newspaper that is published in or of general circulation in such community college area at least twenty days prior to such election. If no newspaper is published in or of general circulation in the community college area, notice shall be posted at least twenty days prior to such election in at least two public places in each county in the community college area.
(4) If a special election is called, the board shall prescribe the form of the ballot to be used.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 922, ‘ 3; Laws 1979, LB 363, ‘ 3; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2650.03; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 40.
85-1519 CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT; BIDS; BOARD; ADOPT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
Each board shall adopt plans and specifications in advance of letting bids for any capital construction project. Such plans and specifications shall be the basis upon which the bids are received.
Source: Laws 1978, LB 922, ‘ 8; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2650.06; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 41.
85-1520 FACILITIES; CONSTRUCT, PURCHASE, REPAIR, AND EQUIP; REVENUE BONDS; AUTHORIZED.
Each board may construct, purchase, or otherwise acquire, remodel, repair, furnish, and equip dormitories, residence halls, single‑dwelling units, multiple‑dwelling units, or other facilities for (1) the housing or boarding of single or married students, faculty, or other employees of the institution under its control, (2) buildings and structures for student and faculty unions or centers, and (3) the medical care and other activities of the students of such institutions, on real estate owned or controlled by such board or on real estate purchased, leased, or otherwise acquired for such purpose and pay the cost thereof, including the cost of such real estate, by issuing revenue bonds payable solely out of the revenue from such buildings or facilities. Any such buildings or facilities shall be located on or adjacent to a campus or campuses controlled by such board.
Source: Laws 1987, LB 329, ‘ 3; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2650.08; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 42.
85-1521 REVENUE BONDS; PLEDGE OF REVENUE; PAYMENT; BOARD; POWERS AND DUTIES; BONDS NOT OBLIGATION OF STATE.
Each board may, by resolution or agreement, pledge all or any part of the revenue and fees derived from the operation of the dormitories, residence halls, single‑dwelling units, multiple‑dwelling units, buildings, and other facilities for housing, boarding, medical care, and other activities of students, faculty, or employees of the institution under its control erected or acquired or previously erected or acquired by any such board and contract as to the care, insurance, management, and operation of such buildings and facilities and the charges to be made and the rights of the holders of the revenue bonds. When any board contracts that the operation of any building or facility or part thereof shall be performed other than by the board itself, such board shall at all times maintain supervision of and control over the fees and charges imposed for the use of such building, facility, or part. In issuing revenue bonds and pledging revenue therefor, the board may pledge all or any part of the revenue and fees from buildings and facilities other than the building or facility to be constructed. Bonds issued under sections 85‑1520 to 85‑1527 shall not be an obligation of the State of Nebraska, and no tax shall ever be levied to raise funds for the payment thereof or interest thereon. The bonds shall constitute limited obligations of the board issuing the same and shall be paid solely out of money derived from the revenue and earnings pledged as provided in sections 85‑1501 to 85‑1540.
Source: Laws 1987, LB 329, ‘ 4; Laws 1988, LB 802, ‘ 35; R.S.Supp.,1992, ‘ 79‑2650.09; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 43; Laws 1997, LB 269, ‘ 73.
All revenue bonds issued pursuant to sections 85-1515 and 85-1520 to 85-1527 may be payable at the office of the State Treasurer, at such bank or trust company, either within or without the State of Nebraska, or at such other place as may be determined by the board.
Source: Laws 1987, LB 329, § 5; R.S.1943, (1987), § 79-2650.10; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 44; Laws 2001, LB 420, § 36.
85-1523. REVENUE BOND PROCEEDS; USE; BOARD; ESTABLISH CHARGES.
The proceeds of revenue bonds provided for in section 85‑1515, 85‑1520, or 85‑1521 shall be used solely for the purpose for which the bonds are issued and for the expenses of issuing such bonds. The board shall establish and maintain a schedule of rates, fees, or charges for the use of the facilities constructed or acquired by the issuance of revenue bonds and other facilities controlled by the board, the revenue of which, in whole or in part, is pledged to the holder of the bonds, which shall be in an amount at least sufficient, on the amortization plan, to pay the operating and maintenance charges of the facilities and the principal and interest representing the indebtedness against the income and revenue therefrom.
Source: Laws 1987, LB 329, ‘ 6; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2650.11; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 45.
85-1524 REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS; AUTHORIZED.
For the purpose of refunding any revenue bonds which may have been issued and are outstanding, the respective boards may issue revenue refunding bonds in the same manner as provided in sections 85‑1520 to 85‑1527 for the issuance of revenue bonds.
Source: Laws 1987, LB 329, ‘ 7; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2650.12; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 46.
Each board may furnish heat, light, power, and other similar utilities to any facility or for any activities covered by sections 85‑1515 and 85‑1520 to 85‑1527 without charging for the provision of such utilities against the revenue derived from such facility or activity.
Source: Laws 1987, LB 329, ‘ 8; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2650.13; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 47.
85‑1526. BONDS; INTEREST; EXEMPT FROM TAXATION.
In issuing revenue bonds pursuant to section 85‑1515 or sections 85‑1520 to 85‑1527, the board issuing such bonds shall be a governmental subdivision and instrumentality of the State of Nebraska and all bonds issued under the authority of such sections, together with interest on such bonds, shall be wholly exempt from taxation.
Source: Laws 1987, LB 329, ‘ 9; R.S.1943, (1987), ‘ 79‑2650.14; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 48.
Each board may do any and all things necessary and convenient to carry out the purposes and intent of sections 85‑1515 and 85‑1520 to 85‑1527.
85-1528 TEACHERS AND SCHOOL NURSES; CONTRACT; RENEWAL; EXCEPTIONS; AMEND OR TERMINATE; NOTICE; HEARINGS; DECISION.
The contracts of the teaching staff and school nurses employed by a board of a community college shall require the sanction of a majority of the members of the board. Except as provided in section 85‑1534, each such contract shall be deemed renewed and in force and effect until a majority of the board votes, sixty days before the close of the contract period, to amend or terminate the contract for just cause. The secretary of the board shall notify each teacher or school nurse in writing at least ninety days before the close of the contract period of any conditions of unsatisfactory performance or a reduction in teaching staff or nursing staff that the board considers may be just cause to either amend or terminate the contract for the ensuing year. Any teacher or school nurse so notified shall have the right to file within five days of receipt of such notice a written request with the board for a hearing before the board. Upon receipt of such request, the board shall order the hearing to be held within ten days and shall give written notice of the time and place of the hearing to the teacher or school nurse. At the hearing, evidence shall be presented in support of the reasons given for considering amendment or termination of the contract, and the teacher or school nurse shall be permitted to produce evidence related thereto. The board shall render the decision to amend or terminate a contract based on the evidence produced at the hearing.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 50.
85‑1529. TEACHERS AND SCHOOL NURSES; ADDITIONAL CONTRACT RIGHTS; NOT AFFECTED.
This section and section 85‑1528 shall be construed as providing a minimum standard and not as repealing any rule, regulation, order, or other action of a board that provides for additional contract rights pertaining to the same subject matter.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 51.
85‑1530. BOARD; ADOPT REDUCTION‑IN‑FORCE POLICY; CONTENTS.
Each board shall adopt a reduction‑in‑force policy covering employees subject to such statutory provisions to carry out the intent of sections 85‑1530 to 85‑1533. No such policy shall allow the reduction of a permanent or tenured employee while a probationary employee is retained to render a service which such permanent employee is qualified by reason of certification and endorsement to perform or, if certification is not applicable, by reason of college credits in the teaching area. If employee evaluation is to be included as a criterion to be used for reduction in force, specific criteria, such as frequency of evaluation, evaluation forms, and number and length of classroom observations shall be included as part of the reduction‑in‑force policy.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 52.
85‑1531. REDUCTION IN FORCE; BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION; DUTIES.
Before a reduction in force occurs, the board and administration shall present competent evidence demonstrating that a change in circumstances has occurred, necessitating a reduction in force. Any alleged change in circumstances shall be specifically related to the teacher or teachers to be reduced in force, and the board, based upon evidence produced at the hearing required by section 85‑1528 shall be required to specifically find that there are no other vacancies on the staff for which the employee to be reduced is qualified by endorsement or professional training to perform.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 53.
85‑1532. REDUCTION IN FORCE; EMPLOYEE; CONTRACT TERMINATED; EFFECT; RECALL; RIGHTS.
Any employee whose contract is terminated because of reduction in force shall be considered to have been dismissed with honor and shall upon request be provided a letter to that effect. Such employee shall have preferred rights to reemployment for a period of twenty‑four months commencing at the end of the contract year of such employee, and the employee shall be recalled on the basis of length of service to the community college area to any position for which he or she is qualified by endorsement or college preparation to teach. The employee shall, upon reappointment, retain any benefits which had accrued to such employee prior to termination, but such leave of absence shall not be considered as a year of employment by the area. An employee under contract to another educational institution may waive recall, but such waiver shall not deprive the employee of his or her right to subsequent recall.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 54.
85‑1533. REDUCTION IN FORCE; NONCOMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL OR STATE LAW; HOW TREATED.
Notwithstanding sections 85‑1530 to 85‑1532, if the reduction of an employee based upon the provisions of such sections would place a community college area in noncompliance of any federal or state law or regulations requiring affirmative action employment practices, the area may vary from the provisions of such sections as necessary to comply with such laws or regulations.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 55.
85‑1534. CONTRACT; PROBATIONARY PERIOD REQUIRED.
Any contract of employment entered into after September 9, 1993, between the teaching staff and a board which applies to the first two years of the employment of such teaching staff shall provide that the first two years of the employment of such teacher are a probationary period. Any such contract may be terminated during the probationary period without cause.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 56.
A person who has been hired to fulfill the duties of a teacher or school nurse who is on a leave of absence shall not accrue rights under sections 85-1528 to 85-1534 during the period that the person is fulfilling such duties.
Source: Laws 2005, LB 352, § 1.
85‑1535. FACILITIES FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS; CONTRACTS AUTHORIZED; COSTS.
A board of a community college area with a population of less than one hundred thousand according to the last federal decennial census and a campus located on a former military base may enter into contracts with any person, firm, or corporation providing for the implementation of any project for the constructing and improving of facilities to house applied technology educational programs necessary to carry out sections 85‑1501 to 85‑1540 and providing for the long‑term payment of the cost of such project.
In no case shall any such contract run for a period longer than twenty years or shall the aggregate of existing contracts exceed four million five hundred thousand dollars for each area exclusive of administrative costs, credit enhancement costs, financing costs, capitalized interest, and reserves dedicated to secure payment of contracts.
subdivision shall make annual appropriations for amounts sufficient to pay annual obligations under such contract for the duration of such contract.
The board may also convey or lease and lease back all or any part of the project and the land on which such project is situated to such person, firm, or corporation as the board may contract with pursuant to this section to facilitate the long‑term payment of the cost of such project. Any such conveyance or lease shall provide that when the cost of such project has been paid, together with interest and other costs thereon, such project and the land on which such project is located shall become the property of the community college area.
Source: Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 57; Laws 1997, LB 269, ‘ 74.
85‑1536. Transferred to section 85-2222.
85-1536.01 Repealed. Laws 2007, LB 342, § 46.
85‑1537. Repealed. Laws 2007, LB 342, § 46.
85‑1537.01. Repealed. Laws 2003, LB 540,§13.
85‑1538. Transferred to section 85-2229.
85‑1539. NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGE AID, GRANT, AND CONTRACT REVIEW COMMITTEE; CREATED; DUTIES.
There is hereby created the Nebraska Community College Aid, Grant, and Contract Review Committee. The committee shall be selected by the Director of Administrative Services and shall consist of (1) a representative of the University of Nebraska who has expertise and experience in research and development, (2) a representative of the Department of Economic Development, (3) a representative of the Department of Labor, (4) a representative of the State Department of Education, and (5) a representative of the community colleges.
The committee shall develop guidelines and submit recommendations to the Director of Administrative Services for the distribution of the Nebraska Community College Aid Cash Fund and any other funds appropriated to Program 99 in Agency 83, Aid to Community Colleges, pursuant to any directives of the Governor or the Legislature. Recommendations made by the committee shall not exceed the amount appropriated to the fund.
Source: Laws 1989, LB 305, ‘ 2; R.S.Supp.,1992, ‘ 79‑2663; Laws 1993, LB 239, ‘ 61.
NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGE AID CASH FUND; CREATED; USE; INVESTMENT.
There is hereby created the Nebraska Community College Aid Cash Fund. The fund shall be under the direction of the Nebraska Community College Aid, Grant, and Contract Review Committee. The Legislature may appropriate nongeneral funds and transfers pursuant to subdivision (1)(b)(iii) of section 48-621 to the fund. The fund shall be used to provide aid, grants, or contracts to the community colleges for the purposes of funding grants for applied technology and occupational faculty training, instructional equipment upgrades, employee assessment, preemployment training, employment training, and dislocated worker programs benefiting the State of Nebraska. Any money in the fund available for investment shall be invested by the state investment officer pursuant to the Nebraska Capital Expansion Act and the Nebraska State Funds Investment Act.
Source: Laws 1989, LB 305, § 1; Laws 1991, LB 663, § 52; R.S.Supp.,1992, § 79-2664; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 62; Laws 1994, LB 1066, § 140; Laws 1995, LB 1, § 16; Laws 2000, LB 953, § 12.
Cross References: Nebraska Capital Expansion Act,see section 72-1269.
Nebraska State Funds Investment Act,see section 72-1260.
85‑1541. ACTIVITIES PASS; VOLUNTEER, DEFINED.
For purposes of section 85‑1542, volunteer shall mean a person who is not an elected or appointed official or employee of a community college area who, at the request or with the permission of the board of governors of the community college area, engages in activities related to the purposes and functions of the community college area or for its general benefit.
Source: Laws 1994, LB 1310, ‘ 14.
85‑1542. ACTIVITIES PASS; AUTHORIZED; WHEN.
The board of governors of any community college area may authorize the issuance of a pass to any elected or appointed official, employee, retired employee, or volunteer of the community college area, member of a senior citizens group, or city official authorizing the admittance of the recipient of the pass and his or her spouse to recognized college activities without the need for the payment of any fee or charge. Such pass may be issued at no cost to the recipient or at such cost as may be designated by the board of governors.
85-2221. COMMUNITY COLLEGE AREA; REPORT DATA.
Each community college area shall annually report such data as necessary to carry out the Community College Foundation and Equalization Aid Act to the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. Each community college area shall annually provide the commission with a reconciliation of the data necessary to carry out the act with audited financial statement information.
85-2222. LEGISLATURE; APPROPRIATE FUNDS; LEGISLATIVE INTENT; DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES; DUTIES.
(1) The Legislature, in an effort to promote quality postsecondary education and to avoid excessive and disproportionate taxation upon the taxable property of each community college area, may appropriate each biennium from such funds as may be available an amount for aid and assistance to the community colleges. The Legislature recognizes that education, as an investment in human resources, is fundamental to the quality of life and the economic prosperity of Nebraskans and that aid to the community colleges furthers these goals. It is the intent of the Legislature that such appropriations reflect the commitment of the Legislature to join with local governing bodies in a strong and continuing partnership to further advance the quality, responsiveness, access, and equity of Nebraska’s community colleges and to foster high standards of performance and service so that every citizen, community, and business will have the opportunity to receive quality educational programs and services regardless of the size, wealth, or geographic location of the community college area or tribally controlled community college as defined in section 85-1503 by which that citizen, community, or business is served. Such funds so appropriated by the Legislature shall be allocated, adjusted, and distributed to the community college boards of governors as provided in the Community College Foundation and Equalization Aid Act.
(2) The Department of Revenue shall certify aid amounts pursuant to the act and report such amounts to the Department of Administrative Services. The Department of Administrative Services shall distribute the total of such appropriated and allocated funds to the boards of governors in ten as nearly as possible equal monthly payments between the fifth and twentieth day of each month beginning in September of each year.
(3) The Department of Administrative Services shall reduce the amount of the distribution to a board of governors by the amount of funds used by the community college area to provide a program or capital construction project as such term is defined in section 85-1402 which has not been approved or has been disapproved by the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education pursuant to the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education Act.
Source: Laws 1975, LB 344, § 16; Laws 1976, LB 903, § 11; Laws 1977, LB 7, § 1; Laws 1977, LB 459, § 12; Laws 1979, LB 363, § 4; Laws 1982, LB 816, § 7; Laws 1984, LB 890, § 2; Laws 1986, LB 258, § 23; Laws 1990, LB 143, § 5; Laws 1991, LB 663, § 48; R.S.Supp.,1992, § 79-2651; Laws 1993, LB 239, § 58; Laws 1995, LB 241, § 2; Laws 1997, LB 269, § 75; Laws 1999, LB 67, § 2; R.S.1943, (1999), § 85-1536; Laws 2007, LB342, § 22.
Cross References: Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education Act, see section 85-1401.

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