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Keno could create cushion |
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Thursday, 03 December 2009 |
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• Funds tabbed for swimming pool operations
 By MICHELLE ZLOMKE
Chief Managing Editor
A special election puts a decision about Keno play before Broken Bow voters Dec. 15.
Broken Bow City Council voted in September to let voters decide whether to allow Keno gaming in the city.
In communities that allow Keno, a portion of the gaming proceeds return to the community.
By law, at least 65 percent of the total money spent on Keno has to be returned in prize money. An establishment’s operational expenses for Keno cannot exceed 14 percent of the gross. Two percent is returned to the state and the remainder is allotted to the community.
Broken Bow City Administrator Tony Tolstedt said the city plans to earmark Keno revenue for swimming pool operations, if voters approve Keno.
“It could offset operational costs at the pool, whether it’s the current pool or another structure,” Tolstedt said.
The 2009-2010 operating budget for the swimming pool is $93,000, Tolstedt said.
He said similarly-sized cities have raised $70,000-$80,000 a year through Keno.
Records from the Nebraska Department of Revenue show that, in
“You don’t rely on Keno for essential operating services,” he said. “It is a cushion to help continue to provide a level of service and hopefully increase the level of service to the community.”
Tolstedt said Keno revenue is attractive to communities because there are few restrictions on its uses.
It’s also an avenue to bring money in without increasing taxes, he said.
“Unless valuation increases, or there’s growth in the community, what else are you going to do?” he said. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 December 2009 )
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