County to discuss redistricting, heritage grants processes

Douglas County commissioners will meet Wednesday to consider amending their annual budget, discuss how to redraw their district boundaries and review how to award grants intended to promote historic and cultural preservation.

Among items scheduled for their meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Mass.:

• Conduct a public hearing regarding changes to the city’s 2011 budget, to allow for year-end transfers in a fund for ambulances and roads and bridges; to use a federal grant for a Berry Plastics project; and to allow agencies to use additional revenues from a tax collected on alcohol, should additional revenue be collected.

• Discuss the process for redistricting commission boundaries based upon data from the 2010 Census.

• Discuss the county’s process for awarding Natural and Cultural Heritage grants, through a county program designed to conserve natural and cultural resources and enhance the economic benefits of tourism, agriculture and other endeavors.

Commissioners also are scheduled to approve a number of business items, including matters related to 911 fees; the county’s program to address noxious weeds; plans to upgrade County Route 438 in conjunction with a Berry Plastics project northwest of Lawrence; a contract with Capital City Oil for fuel for county vehicles; buying trucks for the Department of Public Works; and spending $82,456 for upgrades to the county’s Emergency Operations Center, using most of the $90,000 in federal grants available through the end of the year.