Lawrence – Week of July 20 2025

City Debates Controversial Recreation-Center Fee Proposal

In Split Vote, City Commission Sets Path for a Potential Tax Increase

County Lowers Mill Levy Yet Will Exceed Revenue-Neutral Rate

County Approves 95% NRA for 9 Del Lofts II Affordable-Housing Project

Public-Safety Funding Dominates Budget Hearing

1. City Debates Controversial Recreation-Center Fee Proposal

LAWRENCE - The Lawrence City Commission spent nearly two hours examining Parks & Recreation Director Luis Ruiz’s plan to close a projected $1.8 million gap in the 2026 budget. His preferred option would introduce flexible day passes plus monthly and annual memberships that together could raise ≈ $750,000 while allowing milder service cuts. Provisions include: a discounted qualified rate for low-income residents, and free weekday-afternoon access for youth ages 5-17. Several speakers recalled assurances that Sports Pavilion Lawrence would remain free, warning that new fees could hurt community health and equity ambitions.

2. In Split Vote, City Commission Sets Path for a Potential Tax Increase

LAWRENCE - On a 3-2 roll-call vote, the commission authorized staff to notify Douglas County of its intent to exceed the revenue-neutral rate for 2026, setting a ceiling of 33.986 mills—about 0.8 mills above the earlier flat-rate scenario. The motion came from Vice Mayor Brad Finkeldei and was seconded by Commissioner Amber Sellers; it passed with support from Mayor Littlejohn. Commissioners Lisa Larsen and Littlejohn dissented, favoring the lower figure. The higher cap gives “wiggle room” to revisit police staffing, fire/medical partnerships and World-Cup-related infrastructure before the final rate is adopted in September.

3. County Lowers Mill Levy Yet Will Exceed Revenue-Neutral Rate

DOUGLAS COUNTY - Douglas County commissioners voted to tell the clerk they will exceed the state-calculated revenue-neutral rate of 39.958 mills, but simultaneously set a proposed levy of 40.669 mills—a 0.629-mill reduction from last year. Staff noted the board had pared back more than $12 million in supplemental requests to keep taxes down despite rising property values and inflationary costs.

4. County Approves 95% NRA for 9 Del Lofts II Affordable-Housing Project

DOUGLAS COUNTY - The commission unanimously agreed to join a 15-year, 95% Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA) rebate for 9 Del Lofts II, a 36-unit mixed-income development at 716 E. 9th Street. Developer Tony C. Resnick plans 24 one-bedroom affordable units financed through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which Kansas will sunset after the current round. Staff said the unusually high 95% rebate was necessary to fill the financing gap, and that similar terms were used on the original 9 Del Lofts.

5. Public-Safety Funding Dominates Budget Hearing

LAWRENCE - During public comment, John Edmond, president of the Lawrence Police Officers Association, warned that proposed cuts would leave sworn staffing below 2012 levels (145 officers) and hamper efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking, impaired driving and violent crime. Shamus Bert, president of the Lawrence Professional Firefighters, urged commissioners to preserve all six frontline fire trucks, noting the county may fund an additional ambulance in 2026. Both leaders asked the city to keep a higher mill-levy ceiling until final budget decisions are made.

Sponsors (click me!)

SUBSCRIBE TO GET THE CITIZEN JOURNAL IN YOUR INBOX - FREE!

GET THE CITIZEN JOURNAL APP - FREE!

Contact: greg@loql.ai