ICON Prepares for Annual Meeting in Valentine

VALENTINE—The time for property tax reform is now—not ten years from now according to the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON). ICON is hosting Omaha attorney Dave Domina for a discussion on property tax reform and solutions for Nebraskans. ICON will be hosting their twelfth annual meeting in Valentine, Neb. on Saturday, December 16 at the Niobrara Lodge (803 US-20, Valentine, NE 69201). Past ICON president Chris Abbott helped found the organization to be a voice for local cattle producers. “Our organization was started back in 2005 with intentions of representing mainly the cow/calf producing sector of our cattle and beef industry,” Abbott said. The day starts at 10 a.m. with registration. At 11 a.m., the ICON Board of Directors will conduct an annual business meeting. Lunch will follow. Afternoon activities will begin with a Legislative Round Table aimed at discussion what’s happening in the legislature at 1 p.m. A presentation by Omaha attorney David Domina at 2:30 p.m. will cover the property tax crisis in Nebraska and possible remedies for tax reform. “The property tax is a significantly higher input cost that is placing Nebraska’s cattle producers at a competitive disadvantage to neighboring states,” Domina said. “The obligation to supply an education to students is imposed by the Nebraska constitution on state government. The constitution does not impose that obligation on school districts. In fact, it says the legislature shall provide for the free instruction in the common schools of this state of all persons between ages 5 and 21 years. It says nothing about authorizing the financing of that state obligation with a tax that is raised locally,” Domina continued. ICON’s annual meeting will be a strong discussion event for Nebraska’s Property Tax issue. It is important for Nebraskans to have affordable taxes no matter what business or line of work. ICON represents cattlemen in the livestock industry, working for affordable taxes making their bottom line more acceptable, but all Nebraskans need tax reform. ICON welcomes everyone to join them in the discussion. R-Calf USA vice president Mike Schultz will speak about issues which plague today’s cattle industry at 4 p.m. An auction for the Jim Hanna Memorial Scholarship will end the annual meeting. Registration for the 2017 ICON Convention Registration is $50 and includes the noon luncheon. Guests accompanying a paid registration can register for $20. ICON membership dues for 2017 are $100 and if members pay the day of the meeting, there will be a $10 discount. ICON annual meeting registration can be sent to ICON/Linda Wuebben 55669 888th Road, Fordyce, NE 68736. For more information, call 402-357-3778 or visit ICON online at www.independentcattlemen.com. ICON has always been a spokesperson for independent cattlemen from across the state, protecting their rights so they can continue to grow a quality beef product for the American consumer. Come join ICON members as they discuss property tax relief, brand committee issues, and live the Cowboy Way.