Commission approves health care premium increase for county employees

Visiting Nurses Association reports restructuring following $630,000 operational loss

District attorney revives property crime victim aid program

Obscure 1868 'fence viewing' law costs county thousands to resolve dispute

$138,000 truck purchase triggers debate on local purchasing preferences

Public Works presents 2026 vegetation management plan

Evergy deposit requirement spurs data center moratorium discussions

Governor's vetoes on property tax lid, renter protections welcomed by commission

County officials to lobby Washington for Haskell Indian Nations University

1. Commission approves health care premium increase for county employees

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — The Douglas County Commission unanimously approved a 7.1 percent increase in health care premiums for county employees and retirees for the 2026-2027 plan year. Human resources staff recommended the hike, noting the county's employee benefits fund balance is projected to drop to a historic low of 13.3 percent by 2027 due to rising medical claims and the high cost of weight-loss medications. To help mitigate overall costs, the commission also authorized switching to a new stop-loss insurance provider, a move expected to save the county approximately $200,000.

2. Visiting Nurses Association reports restructuring following $630,000 operational loss

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — The Visiting Nurses Association reported an operational loss of $630,000 in 2025, which was offset by a $600,000 bequest and a $700,000 withdrawal from investment accounts. Chief Executive Officer Melinda Ward and Chief Financial Officer Pamela Morgan briefed the commission on the agency's financial challenges, attributing the losses to stagnant Medicare reimbursement rates that have failed to keep pace with inflation. Despite the financial hurdles, the association has restructured its hospice program, expanded its rural service reach and continues to utilize county funds to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay.

3. District attorney revives property crime victim aid program

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — District Attorney Dakota Loomis secured approval for a new part-time coordinator to revive the Property Crime Compensation Fund, which distributed zero awards to crime victims in 2024. The 0.2 full-time equivalent position will be funded with $15,000 generated from traffic diversion fees rather than the general fund. Loomis alleged the fund's neglect was caused by "mismanagement by the previous administration," emphasizing the need for dedicated staff to help property crime victims receive up to $500 in immediate financial relief. Commissioners expressed initial reservations about the cost of adding a permanent position, but the measure ultimately passed.

4. Obscure 1868 'fence viewing' law costs county thousands to resolve dispute

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — The commission resolved a rural property dispute using an 1868 Kansas "fence viewing" statute, ordering two neighbors to evenly split the $5,067.52 cost of a shared boundary fence. Commissioners questioned the financial efficiency of the legal process, noting the county spent an estimated $2,000 to $3,000 on an outside attorney to mediate the $5,000 dispute. Despite the cost concerns, the commission unanimously agreed that the legal complexities and high emotions involved justified hiring outside counsel rather than acting as the fence viewers themselves.

5. $138,000 truck purchase triggers debate on local purchasing preferences

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — A $138,840 purchase for a new Ford F-550 and snowplow equipment sparked a debate over local purchasing preferences. Commissioners questioned why the county used a Johnson County master agreement to buy the vehicle from Shawnee Mission Ford instead of utilizing a local Douglas County dealership. Public Works Director Chad Voigt explained that local dealers could not currently offer competitive pricing for heavy fleet vehicles, prompting commissioners to suggest developing a formal local purchasing preference policy at an upcoming retreat.

6. Public Works presents 2026 vegetation management plan

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — Public Works Director Chad Voigt presented the draft 2026 Vegetation Management Plan, highlighting successful reductions in the county's overall herbicide use. Voigt noted the county has refrained from using aquatic herbicides to treat invasive water milfoil in Lone Star Lake since 2020, citing a lack of state mandates and mixed public opinion regarding chemical treatments in the water. The commission will vote on the updated two-year environmental plan at its next meeting following a brief public review period.

7. Evergy deposit requirement spurs data center moratorium discussions

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners discussed a utility update involving Evergy and a proposed deposit requirement for large entities, such as data centers, seeking to begin exploring regional power generation agreements. The update arrives as the county considers implementing a potential moratorium on data centers due to growing concerns over their massive energy consumption and strain on local infrastructure. Commissioners indicated they plan to review the proposed moratorium and associated zoning resources in upcoming meetings.

8. Governor's vetoes on property tax lid, renter protections welcomed by commission

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — Mallory Lutz, a lobbyist with Little Government Relations, briefed the commission on the state Legislature's upcoming veto session, highlighting the governor's veto of House Bill 2745, a controversial property tax lid bill that would have restricted local budget growth. Lutz also reported the veto of a bill affecting local renter-protection ordinances. Commissioners expressed relief at the vetoes — which are not expected to be overridden — though the advocate cautioned that lawmakers could still attempt to negotiate new tax legislation before adjourning for the year.

9. County officials to lobby Washington for Haskell Indian Nations University

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. — County officials announced plans to travel to Washington later this month to lobby federal lawmakers on behalf of Haskell Indian Nations University. County Administrator Sarah Plinsky and county commissioners will join representatives from the city of Lawrence, the local chamber of commerce and the University of Kansas to advocate for the institution. The federal lobbying effort follows ongoing constituent concerns regarding the university's funding, administrative capacity and accreditation status.

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