The “to do” list keeps growing in Craig Weinaug’s office at the Douglas County Courthouse.

Among the broad topics tagged for discussion: Lawrence’s urban growth area, sales taxes for school, unit road system, building permits for agricultural buildings, adequate public facilities, fire protection in Marion Township, parking at the courthouse, and on and on.

For now the list takes up a page and a half, filled with words and possibilities and suggestions and potential pitfalls.

But by September 2004, decisions made could create or lead to something much more permanent: policy.

“The county will be facing many important issues over the next year that will have a very significant impact on the lives of the people of Douglas County,” said Weinaug, county administrator.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most pressing issues expected to challenge Douglas County commissioners — Bob Johnson, Charles Jones and Jere McElhaney — in the months ahead:

• School financing. Jones has suggested assuming financial responsibility for nursing programs that serve public schools in the county. Commissioners could be asked to call for a public vote on whether sales tax rates should be increased to help finance schools, which have been ailing financially in the wake of revenue limitations imposed by the state.
• Sales tax shortfall. Revenues from a 1-cent countywide sales tax approved in 1994 — money used to finance construction of the county jail — are running behind projections, and are expected to fall short of the county’s needs in three years. Additional money from property taxes may need to be set aside next year to avoid a large increase down the road, Weinaug said.
• Urban growth area. Expanding the area — property expected to accommodate Lawrence’s growth during the foreseeable future — could lead to development that costs more now, but could save taxpayers later.
• Capital improvements. The county has more than $11 million in bridge repairs, revamps or replacements expected during the next decade, but no money set aside for such projects.
• Farmland future. City and county commissioners are looking at options for helping clean up or redeveloping the shuttered Farmland Industries fertilizer plant on the southeastern edge of Lawrence. The plant has been closed since May 2001.
• Barn building. Johnson, commission chairman, has suggested requiring that building permits be issued for construction of agricultural buildings, such as barns. Such structures currently are exempt from permit regulation.
• Courthouse parking. Commissioners intend to decide whether county-owned residential lots in the 1100 block of Rhode Island Street should be converted into parking lots, or whether the property should be sold so that it could be developed for housing.
• Fire protection in Marion Township. The township, with 600 residents in southwest Douglas County, needs a fire station to be closer to a majority of township residents, commissioners say. The township currently pays Osage County Fire District No. 4 to provide fire service, but the nearest station is in Overbrook, 18 miles away from some residents.