Commission approves comprehensive plan update in split vote

Planning commission appointment sparks debate, passes 3-2

Commissioners direct staff to prepare flat mill levy for 2027

Cooling property values signal tighter budgets ahead

Property tax rebate program distributes over $156,000

Employee benefits fund faces strain amid high claims

Behavioral health operations lean heavily on property taxes

Fire medical proposes new shared expense formula

Commission favors three-year fire medical governance agreement

Commission approves comprehensive plan update in split vote

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Douglas County Commission approved an amendment to the county's comprehensive plan, Plan 2040, to incorporate updated Lawrence and Douglas County zoning districts in a 3-2 vote. The commission debated whether to delay the update until the completion of an ongoing Clarion diagnostic review of the region's zoning codes. Supporters argued the update was long overdue to align the master plan with codes already adopted in 2019 and 2024. Dissenting commissioners expressed concerns about prematurely opening the door to unintended land uses before the review provides its final recommendations.

Planning commission appointment sparks debate, passes 3-2

LAWRENCE, Kan. - In a 3-2 vote, the Douglas County Commission appointed a new member to the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission, overriding concerns regarding the selection. Dissenting commissioners argued against replacing outgoing Chair Chelsi Hayden, citing the need to retain experienced members during highly technical, ongoing projects like the northern corridor study and zoning code revisions. Supporters of the appointment emphasized the importance of bringing fresh and diverse perspectives to the board. The commission unanimously approved the reappointment of Mike Kelso to the same board.

Commissioners direct staff to prepare flat mill levy for 2027

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Douglas County Commission directed staff to prepare a flat mill levy for the proposed 2027 budget, though it was acknowledged that internal budget cuts will likely be necessary to maintain services. Citing inflation and the rising cost of living for taxpayers on fixed incomes, the commission agreed to avoid a property tax rate increase. Staff warned that maintaining existing operations without raising the mill levy will be challenging and will severely limit the county's ability to fund $6.9 million in supplemental funding requests submitted by community partners.

Cooling property values signal tighter budgets ahead

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Preliminary data indicates Douglas County will see a 4 percent growth in assessed property values for the upcoming tax year, marking the lowest growth rate since 2021. County staff presented the figures during a 2027 budget preview, noting the slowdown signals a cooling real estate market following several years of higher-than-average increases, which previously peaked at an 8.1 percent five-year average. The moderating property values are expected to tighten budget constraints as the county navigates rising operational costs alongside a flat mill levy directive.

Property tax rebate program distributes over $156,000

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Douglas County's property tax rebate program distributed $156,123 to 397 eligible households, County Administrator Sarah Plinsky announced Tuesday. The program provided an average payout of $393 per recipient. The rebates covered an average of 12 percent of participants' total property tax bills and 41 percent of their county-specific property taxes, utilizing a $500,000 fund set aside by the Douglas County Commission last year to provide financial relief for local homeowners.

Employee benefits fund faces strain amid high claims

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Douglas County's employee benefits fund is facing increased pressure due to higher-than-usual medical claims and an intentionally implemented revenue reduction. While the fund began the year with a healthy 33 percent balance, staff warned that the balance is expected to steadily decline. To counter the shortfall, the county will implement increased employer contribution rates beginning June 1, and staff warned that additional funding allocations may be required when finalizing the 2027 budget.

Behavioral health operations lean heavily on property taxes

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Operating expenses for Douglas County's Treatment and Recovery Center have exceeded $11 million annually, requiring more than $5.4 million in property tax support to supplement the county's quarter-cent behavioral health sales tax. During a budget preview, staff highlighted that while the dedicated sales tax revenue continues to grow — projected at $7.1 million for 2026 — it remains insufficient to cover the full cost of the county's expanded behavioral health programs. The commission noted that the reliance on property taxes to fund these services will remain a critical challenge in future budget cycles.

Fire medical proposes new shared expense formula

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical presented a new six-factor formula to divide the department's $30 million shared operating budget between the city of Lawrence and Douglas County. The proposed model incorporates total population, apparatus responses, staffing ratios and planning zone incidents to calculate the financial split, ultimately shifting the county's funding burden to 39.4 percent and the city's to 60.6 percent. Division Chief John Darling said the new formula will prevent the major financial swings that previously occurred whenever the department made minor staffing adjustments.

Commission favors three-year fire medical governance agreement

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Douglas County Commission signaled unanimous support for pursuing a three-year joint governance agreement with the city of Lawrence for fire and medical services, slated to take effect in 2027. Using the newly proposed shared expense formula, the three-year timeline will allow the county to lock in a stable funding ratio while leaving room to reassess the financial split ahead of the anticipated opening of Fire Station 6 in 2029. County staff will now return to the joint governance committee to formalize the agreement timeline with city leadership.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us