Proposed 2025 Douglas County budget includes a flat mill levy

The Board of County Commissioners will begin reviewing the proposed 2025 Douglas County budget during public hearings that will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, July 8, in the Public Works and Zoning and Codes building, 3755 E. 25th St. The proposed budget is $206 million with a mill levy of 44.208 mills, which is a flat rate from last year. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value.

During the budget review process, the County Commission will have the opportunity to lower the tax rate and add services.

Most of Douglas County’s revenues, 77%, are from property taxes. Total assessed valuation for real estate and personal property increased 6.8% in 2024 compared to 10.98% the year before. From 2020 to 2024, the average increase in assessed valuation was 7.58%. Last year, the County Commission reduced the tax rate for the 2024 budget by 2 mills. In 2022, they reduced it by 1 mill.

Sales tax revenues have grown during the past several years, which has led to an increased 2025 budget of $9.5 million in the general fund and $6.4 million in the behavioral health sales tax fund. Interest income has also improved, providing $1.25 million more in revenue than the year before.

County Administrator Sarah Plinsky said the proposed budget provides for higher costs in existing services and commodities like software and road and bridge materials. It does not eliminate any current county services or base funding, $15 million total, for over 40 community organizations that provide behavioral health, human services, heritage and economic development services in Douglas County. Many of these nonprofits serve at-risk populations and provide a vital safety net for community members.

The proposed budget maintains funding for behavioral health projects and expands support for supportive housing. It includes $2.8 million in capital funding for supportive housing projects with DCCCA, Cardinal Housing Network, Inc., Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church and the City of Lawrence as well as $600,000 to support a new Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool to help individuals who need supportive housing. These are strategies in the community’s strategic plan to end chronic homelessness, “A Place for Everyone.”

To view the proposed budget, visit: https://dgcoks.gov/open-budget or click here for a downloadable document.

During the budget hearings, Commissioners will consider more than 50 funding requests totaling $20.1 million from Douglas County departments and community partners that are not included in the proposed budget.

The budget hearings are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Wednesday, July 8-July 10, in the Public Works and Zoning and Codes building. The public can attend in person or by using Zoom. Meeting information is available on the county’s website at https://www.dgcoks.gov/county-commission, where recordings of the hearings and deliberations will be provided. Commissioners will begin deliberations at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 11.

Budget hearings for the five-year Capital Improvement Plan and Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No.1 will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.

The budget will be adopted during a public hearing that will be held during the County Commission business meeting on Aug. 28.