Commission approves exceeding revenue neutral rate in split vote

County adopts $199.6 million operating budget for 2027

County mill levy drops for fifth consecutive year

Commissioner proposes budget cuts to reach revenue neutrality

State finds Douglas County in compliance on property assessments

Commissioners debate limits of mental health sales tax spending

Funds reallocated to support Baldwin City child care center

Consolidated Fire District #1 secures tax increase to add 10 full-time positions

Commission approves exceeding revenue neutral rate in split vote

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted 3-2 to exceed the state-defined revenue neutral rate for the 2027 budget. Chair Shannon Reid, Vice Chair Karen Willey and Commissioner Patrick Kelly voted in favor, while Commissioners Gene Dorsey and Erica Anderson opposed the measure [1]. Prior to the vote, residents spoke during a public hearing, urging the commission to rely on the county's $133.9 million in cash reserves rather than raising additional property tax revenues. Kelly defended the move, citing the need to determine a tax rate that meets the needs of the community [3], while opponents of the increase argued that existing fund balances and line-item reallocations could have prevented the need to exceed the rate.

County adopts $199.6 million operating budget for 2027

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - Following the contentious vote to exceed the revenue neutral rate, the commission unanimously approved the county's $199.6 million operating and capital improvement budget for 2027 [3, 4]. Despite their previous opposition to the revenue rate, Commissioners Erica Anderson and Gene Dorsey joined the majority to pass the final budget [4], supporting the vast majority of the community partners and services funded within it. The approved budget includes a 4.4 percent salary increase for county employees, composed of an approximately 3.4 percent market adjustment and a 1 percent merit increase [2].

County mill levy drops for fifth consecutive year

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - The newly adopted 2027 Douglas County budget features a reduced property tax rate of 40.286 mills, marking the fifth consecutive year the commission has lowered the levy [3]. County staff reported that since 2021, the mill levy has been reduced by a combined 7.133 mills, representing a 15 percent decrease [3]. Officials also noted that the budget lowers the assumed property tax delinquency rate from 2 percent to 1.5 percent, freeing up additional anticipated revenue for county operations without raising the tax rate [3].

Commissioner proposes budget cuts to reach revenue neutrality

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - During budget deliberations, Commissioner Gene Dorsey outlined proposed cuts he believed could bring the county closer to a revenue-neutral budget, which county staff estimated would have required $3.9 million in reductions [4]. His suggestions included saving over $300,000 by replacing outside legal counsel with an internal county attorney [5]. Dorsey also suggested reviewing other administrative costs, but the commission ultimately did not adopt these specific reductions in the final budget.

State finds Douglas County in compliance on property assessments

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - County Administrator Sarah Plinsky announced that Douglas County has passed its 2026 annual statistical and procedural compliance review conducted by the state of Kansas. The state audit ensures that local governments are accurately and legally assessing property values. Plinsky noted that the county was found to be in "substantial compliance" with state assessing standards, a point of reassurance amidst intense public scrutiny during the meeting over rising property valuations and associated tax burdens.

Commissioners debate limits of mental health sales tax spending

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - A debate emerged over whether the county could shift certain funding requests out of the general fund and into the behavioral health sales tax fund to relieve the burden on property taxpayers [3]. Commissioners discussed moving programs, such as Mobile Integrated Health, into the mental health fund. However, it was noted that the original ballot language strictly limits the sales tax funds to behavioral health, substance abuse and homelessness interventions. Staff confirmed that while several qualifying community partners were successfully moved to the sales tax fund this year, broader community programs cannot legally be shifted.

Funds reallocated to support Baldwin City child care center

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - As part of the consent agenda, the commission unanimously approved the transfer of $421,621 from a long-held reserve account back into the general fund. Commissioners pulled the item for clarification, confirming the money would be used to help fund a $500,000 request from the Baldwin City Economic Development Corporation to support a new child care center in Baldwin City [2]. County staff noted that returning the money to the 2026 general fund reserve essentially paves the way to pay for the Baldwin City project, which is officially funded within the 2027 budget.

Consolidated Fire District #1 secures tax increase to add 10 full-time positions

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. - The commission unanimously approved a 3.83-mill property tax increase and the 2027 operating budget for Consolidated Fire District #1 [4]. The additional funding will support the district's workforce stabilization initiative by adding 10 full-time positions, including six firefighters, three captains and one battalion chief. The staffing increase will establish guaranteed two-person crews at Stations 111 and 151, ensuring round-the-clock coverage. Commissioners noted that while raising the mill levy was a difficult decision, the move is critical to reducing the rural district's reliance on volunteers and improving firefighter safety.

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