• Establish and maintain fair and equitable value on all real and personal property within the county. 
• Attend all meetings of the County Board of Equalization. 
• Review all applications for religious, charitable and educational tax exemptions.
• Accept and process homestead exemption applications. 
• Accept and process personal property schedules.        
• Verify and maintain a sales file for all property sales within the county.        
• Respond to requests for information from the public.

Buffalo County furnishes the public information contained herein as a public service. This information may not reflect the most recent resolutions of the County Board and if the resolutions need to be legally relied upon, the most current version may be obtained at the office of the County Clerk.  Please also read the disclaimer statement.

Open Meetings Act (effective July 19, 2012).

Zoning packets are available upon request from the Zoning Administrator.

Please choose the Agenda you wish to view from the list below.

• The property must be owned by a religious, educational, charitable or cemetery organization;
• The property must be used exclusively for religious, educational, charitable or cemetery purposes;
• The property may not be used for gain or profit for the owner or the user;
• The property may not be used for the sale of alcoholic liquor for more than 20 hours a week; and
• The property may not be owned or used by an organization which discriminates in membership or employment based on race, color, or national origin.

Internal Revenue Service Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses, allows a standard mileage rate for automobile operating expenses used for medical reasons. Just click on the above link for Publication 502 for access to the allowable medical and dental expenses. Contact your County Assessor for current mileage rates.

• Know what has been filed against you;
• An attorney (a Public Defender may be provided at no cost);
• Face and cross-examine witnesses;
• Present evidence in your own defense;
• Testify if you wish; however, you do not have to testify;
• Be advised by the Judge as to what the Court can do with you; and
• Appeal the Court’s decision to the Nebraska Court of Appeals or Nebraska Supreme Court.

• Dress neatly and cleanly, as you would for an important meeting.
• Be 15 minutes early, so you are ready to attend the hearing on time.
• Speak loudly and clearly.
• Be honest and make eye contact when talking.
• Respond to Judge’s questions by saying, “Yes, Your Honor,” or “No, Your Honor.”

• Curse, swear or lie;
• Get angry or roll your eyes;
• Walk out of the courtroom (you could be held in contempt;
• Speak or act rudely;
• Take a cell phone into the courtroom;
• Slouch or chew gum; or
• Wear sagging pants, offensive T-shirts or gang-related items.

• ...fail to follow court orders (any law violation, including Court orders to obey your parents’ rules and curfew, and/or attend school).
• ...are a runaway youth (a history of running from home or if you run from your Court-ordered placement, such as foster or group home).
• …are a danger to yourself or others (violent, aggressive, gang-related behavior or use of alcohol or drugs).
• ...are being discharged unsatisfactorily from a placement facility. If you are not following rules of your Court-ordered placement and are discharged, you may be detained.
• ...an OJS evaluation is ordered to be done residentially.

• Complete a comprehensive assessment with the Drug Court staff
• Complete the substance abuse treatment recommended by the Drug Court staff
• Attend regular appearances before the Drug Court Judge
• Submit to regular drug testing
• Pay a weekly program fee to the Drug Court
• Pay part of the costs of treatment, based on ability to pay
• Reside in a participating county while in the program
• Maintain employment, attend school, or complete other conditions as directed by the Court or staff
• Meet with the Drug Court staff
• Pay any court costs due
• Obey all laws

• If charged with an ineligible offense, such as murder, manslaughter, robbery, felony assault, sexual assault, or assault with a deadly weapon
• Prior felony conviction for a crime of violence
• Prior or current offense involved the use or possession of a firearm or a dangerous weapon
• Prior or current offense resulted in death or serious bodily injury
• Current offense involved the use of force against a person
• Two or more felony convictions
• Multiple prior misdemeanors for crimes against a person, such as assault, domestic violence, resisting arrest, assaulting a law enforcement officer, or flight to avoid arrest

1. Contest the citation.  Personally appear in the Buffalo County Court on the date and time given on your citation and invoke your right to trial. See the rights you have as an accused person.
2. Pay the citation by waiver.  Pay the fines and costs no later than your court date without appearing in court. This can be done online. Waiver fines are set by the Nebraska Supreme Court for those who wish simply to pay their ticket without going to court over it. For more information, view the Nebraska Supreme Court Waiver Fine List .
3. Inquire about the STOP class.  The Safety Training Option Program (STOP) class is offered by the Nebraska Safety Center to individuals who have been ticketed for committing a minor traffic violation. It takes four hours to complete. It is voluntary. By completing it, the violator pays no fine, has no court appearance, has no points assessed on their driving record, and can improve their driving skills.

• Speeding twenty (20) or miles per hour over the speed limit.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Reckless driving or willful reckless driving.
• Participating in a speed contest, race, or exhibition of acceleration.
• Operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest.
• Driving on a suspended or revoked operator’s license.
• Operating a motor vehicle without insurance or proof of financial responsibility.
• Any injury accident or violation which is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony.

• You hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), even if you were cited while operating a non-commercial vehicle.
• You have participated in any STOP class within the last three (3) years.
• You wish to contest your citation.

1. Call the Nebraska Safety Center at (308) 865-1287, or visit their website, www.unk.edu/stop, for more information.
2. Download the registration form.

• Be between 12 and 18 years of age. (Juveniles 11 and younger will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.)
• Accept responsibility for their offense and acknowledge the extent of their involvement.
• Be willing to comply with all of the program requirements.
• Reside in Buffalo County.

• The juvenile’s previous encounters with the law, including delinquent behavior.
• The length of time over which any prior offenses occurred, and similarity of those offenses.
• Whether the offense involved violence, and whether it was premeditated.
• The number of victims involved in the offense.
• The potential for actual harm to the victim(s), even if unintended.
• The monetary value of any damages.
• The juvenile’s motives for committing the offense.
• The likelihood of future law violations 
• Whether the juvenile is amenable to treatment.

• Criminal charges regarding the offense will be dismissed or not filed.
• Improvement in personal responsibility and coping skills.
• Opportunity to develop a sense of community responsibility and accountability.

1. Assessment. Upon the offer by the County Attorney to participate in Diversion, the juvenile will complete an intake assessment. He or she will be required to meet with the Diversion Administrator to discuss the referral, the diversion process, and the offender’s willingness to participate. The youth’s history, family life, academic performance, and other relevant factors will be examined. The Diversion Administrator may also provide avenues for additional services and/or make referrals to other agencies.
2. Drug/Alcohol Assessment. All youth who are referred with drug- or alcohol-related offenses will be required to get a complete professional drug/alcohol evaluation at their expense. The results of this assessment will be shared with the youth and their parent(s), and be required to follow the recommendations of the assessment.
3. Drug/Alcohol Testing. Once accepted into the Program, continued use or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol will be forbidden. At any time while on Diversion, the youth may be required to submit to drug and alcohol screening. The Diversion Administrator may share the results of such testing with the County Attorney, who will consider whether the youth will be allowed to continue in the Diversion Program. An offender deemed no longer eligible for Diversion will be referred back to the court for formal charges.
4. Curfews. After being accepted into the Juvenile Diversion Program, some participants may be required to observe a curfew. The juvenile, the parent(s), and the Program Administrator will help in determining the curfew times and conditions.
5. Duration of the Program. The Program will be tailored to the individual needs of the juvenile. Consequently, the duration of the program will depend on the offender. The maximum term of Diversion will not exceed one year.
6. No Plea Required. While the participant must acknowledge their participation in the offense, they will not be required to enter a court plea of “admit” or “no contest.” The County Attorney will not use any admissions if charges are subsequently filed.
7. Victim/Offender Mediation. If the victim agrees, the offender may be considered for mediation.
8. Sponsor. A juvenile participating in Diversion will be asked to have a responsible adult as their sponsor. The Program Administrator must approve the sponsor. The sponsor may be a parent, relative, or friend.

• Paying all required fines, fees, and restitution.
• Satisfactorily completing all required community service.
• Attending and participating in all educational classes.
• Writing a letter of apology to the victim(s).
• Informing the school in writing about participation in the Diversion Program and serving all, if any, school-related consequences.
• Avoiding social situations that may involve criminal or delinquent behavior.
• Obeying school and household rules, and working towards a good academic standing.
• Receiving no additional violations and obeying the rules of the Program.
• Signing a release of information permitting open communication with the school and other interested parties and the Diversion Program.
• Each individual is entitled to and capable of being responsible for his or her lawful participation in society.

What is a safe room? What are the design requirements for a FEMA safe room?
A safe room is a hardened structure specifically designed to meet FEMA criteria and provide "near-absolute protection" in extreme weather events, including tornadoes and hurricanes. The level of protection provided by a safe room is a function of its design parameters, specifically the design wind speed and resulting wind pressure and the wind-borne debris load resistance. To be considered a FEMA safe room, the structure must be designed and constructed to the guidelines specified in FEMA P-320, Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room for Your Home or Small Business (FEMA, third edition, 2008a) (for home and small business safe rooms). Additionally, all applicable Federal, State, and local codes must be followed. When questions arise pertaining to the differences between FEMA P320 criteria and another code or standard, the most conservative criteria should apply.

Should I have a safe room?
Pages 6 through 10 of FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) provide background information to help homeowners decide if a safe room is needed in their home. Homeowners and small-business owners should also refer to the Homeowner’s Worksheet, Assessing Your Risk (Table I-1) in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a); this is an easy-to-use matrix that helps users decide whether a safe room is a matter of preference, should be considered, or is the preferred method for protection from extreme winds.

My house has a basement. Do I need a safe room?
Some strong tornadoes have resulted in loss of floor framing, collapse of basement walls, and death and injuries to individuals taking refuge in a basement. What constitutes an acceptable level of protection is an individual decision. A basement may be the safest place to seek shelter for homes without a safe room, but it will not provide the same level of protection as a safe room unless it has been designed and constructed to provide the level of protection in accordance with FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) and FEMA P-361 (FEMA, 2008b).

A basement is a good location to install a shelter or build a safe room, but access for handicapped or physically challenged individuals may be limited. The flood risk of your location may also affect whether it is appropriate to place a safe room in your basement. If your house or neighborhood is prone to flooding, the basement may not be an appropriate location for taking refuge.

Where can I find information about obtaining FEMA funding to construct a safe room? Are there any funds available in my area?
For project eligibility and financial assistance questions, please contact your Local Emergency Manager. Your Emergency Manager can advise you on what information must be provided for your project to be considered for funding, as well as any applicable Federal, State, and local design requirements.

Can I still apply for FEMA funding after I have begun construction of a safe room or purchased a safe room?
No. You must apply for funding before the purchase of a safe room or beginning any construction. Section D.2, Part III of FY 2011 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance (FEMA, 2010) states that costs related to projects for which actual physical work (such as groundbreaking, demolition, or construction of a raised foundation) has occurred prior to award or final approval are ineligible.

What costs are eligible for funding under a safe room grant?
Allowable costs for safe room projects funded under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) are those components related to, and necessary for, providing life safety for building residents in the immediate vicinity during an extreme-wind event. The funding covers design and building costs related to structural and building envelope protection. The funding covers both retrofits to existing facilities and new construction projects, and applies to both single- and multi-use facilities.

Eligible costs are only those consistent with FEMA-approved performance criteria as provided in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a). These criteria are summarized in Table 6 (below) of the 2011 FY FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance (FEMA, 2010). (Click the table to view it larger.)

Does FEMA approve, endorse, or certify any products?
No. Federal No. Federal policy does not allow FEMA to approve, endorse, certify, or recommend any products. While a product may be in compliance with FEMA design guidance, any language from manufacturers stating their product is "FEMA approved" or "FEMA certified" is incorrect.

What is the recommended square footage per person for a residential tornado and hurricane safe room?
For residential safe rooms, the usable tornado safe room floor area should be the gross floor area minus the area of sanitary facilities, if any, and should include the protected occupant area between the safe room walls at the height of any fixed seating, if it exists. The minimum recommended safe room floor area per occupant for residential tornado and hurricane safe rooms is provided in table below. (Click the table to view it larger.)

What is the cost of installing a safe room in a new home or small business?
Costs for construction vary across the United States. The cost for constructing a safe room that can double as a master closet, bathroom, or utility room inside a new home or small business ranges from approximately $6,600 to $8,700 (in 2011 dollars). This cost range is applicable to the basic designs in FEMA P-320 (FEMA, 2008a) for an 8-foot by 8-foot safe room (approximately 64 square feet of protected space). Larger, more refined designs for greater comfort cost more, with 14 foot by 14-foot safe rooms ranging in cost from approximately $12,000 to $14,300. The cost of the safe room can vary significantly, depending on the following factors:

Our GIS site is open to the public with three offices currently online.

On the Assessor tab you will be able to view parcels and section information. A photo and sketch of each parcel are also available. If you have any questions about information on the Assessor tab, please call 308-236-1205.

On the Planning/Zoning tab you will be able to see information on floodplains, wellhead protection areas, and county zones. If you have any questions about information on the Planning/Zoning tab, please call 308-236-1998.

GIS Data For Download

• Democratic
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• Legal Marijuana NOW
• Non-Partisan (not affiliated with a party)
          How Non-Partisan voting in Nebraska works in Primary elections link:
  (https://sos.nebraska.gov/elections/how-nonpartisan-voting-works-nebraska-primary-elections)

The elected offices nominated on a partisan basis are:

President, Vice President, U. S. Senators, Member of the U. S. House of Representatives, Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, State Attorney General, County Commissioners, County Clerk, County Attorney, Register of Deeds, County Assessor, Clerk of the District Court, County Sheriff, County Treasurer and County Surveyor.

Effective: December 2, 2013

The Buffalo County Veterans Service Office offers the following benefits for those veterans who are eligible:

• County Veterans Aid
• Bronze Grave Flag Holders
• Registration of DD214s
• Homestead Exemption
• Grave Registration
• Benefits Counseling and Advocacy
• Assistance with the application for State and Federal VA benefits

County Veterans Aid Fund 
The CVA fund is a temporary emergency fund to assist veterans, their spouses, and dependents when there is an unforeseen emergency and there are no other resources available. Eligible veterans are persons who served on active duty, received an Honorable Discharge, and served during one of the defined "wartime eras" and who have resided in Nebraska for at least one year, and Buffalo County for at least six months. Applicants may request assistance with food, shelter, clothing, funeral, medical, dental, and surgical items. The applicant must apply through the County Service Office in Buffalo County. This is an "aid" program so the veteran must demonstrate an "inability" to meet the obligation to pay these bills, via an application.

Bronze Grave Flag Holders
State of Nebraska statute requires the County Veterans Service Office to provide a flag holder reflecting the veterans wartime era. The Buffalo County, Veterans Service Office also annually inventories these flag holders to insure they remains on the correct grave and we replace damaged markers.

Registration of DD214s
Buffalo County records a "certified copy" of the original copy of a veterans military separation document (DD-214). Once recorded the veteran may call us from any where in the world and we will provide them with a "certified copy" when needed.

Homestead Exemption
Annually, the Buffalo County Veterans Service Office obtains a letter from the VA Regional Office that establishes who are eligible veterans (or widows) for a tax exemption on their personal residence. These letters are provided to the County Assessor.

Grave Registration
Upon notification of the burial of a veteran in Buffalo County we complete a "grave registration card". We maintain a copy here in Buffalo County, and the original is sent to the State of Nebraska, Department of Veteran's Affairs in Lincoln. We also order a "Presidential Memorial Certificate" for the family of all deceased Buffalo County veterans.