WRITER: Josie Heimsoth

Two Democrats look to advance to the general election in newly created Douglas County Commission District 5

In a newly created County Commission district that covers the southern parts of the county, two Democrats are competing for a spot in this fall's general election. The Democratic primary candidates in District 5 are Erica Anderson, whose background is in health care and public affairs, and Nicholas Matthews, a tutor with a political science background. The winner will face off against Libertarian Kirsten Kuhn ...

On first day of 2025 budget deliberations, county leaders have questions about behavioral health sales tax, cost of living adjustments for agencies

As Douglas County leaders begin fine-tuning their 2025 budget, they're asking whether some things can be funded with a mental health sales tax instead of property taxes — and whether it's really the county's job to help its partner agencies keep up with rising costs. The quarter-cent behavioral health sales tax was a theme county commissioners discussed on Friday, the first day of their budget deliberations, ...

Sheriff asks Douglas County to fund more behind-the-scenes positions; he thanks commission for last year's pay raises

When Douglas County held its budget talks last year, Sheriff Jay Armbrister had a staffing crisis on his hands: His office was lagging far behind nearby departments in pay for deputies and corrections officers, and many were leaving for jobs elsewhere. This year, he says, the sheriff's office is still in need of more staff, but of a different kind — the clerical and technology personnel who work behind the ...

Douglas County Commission approves $299,100 for security camera systems at abbreviated meeting

The Douglas County Commission approved security camera upgrades for the county jail, the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and other county facilities at an abbreviated meeting on Wednesday. Commissioners didn’t have any business to take care of on their regular agenda at Wednesday’s meeting, leaving a nine-item consent agenda to pass. The consent agenda included a $299,100 contract with Tech Electronics ...

In day 2 of Douglas County budget hearings, agencies share their proposals for fighting chronic homelessness, addiction and more

A host of social service agencies — and, for the first time, a local church — are asking Douglas County for funding in 2025 to build new transitional housing and strengthen the support systems for people struggling with homelessness and substance abuse. The Douglas County Commission on Tuesday, the second day of its 2025 budget hearings, heard funding requests from several social service agencies whose ...

County commissioners at budget hearing have questions about plan to reduce staff at Lawrence fire and medical department

The Douglas County Commission’s budget hearings opened with many questions regarding a proposed decrease in firefighter staff and the departments’ station expansion project. County commissioners, at their first hearing for the 2025 budget on Monday morning, asked Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical representatives to discuss the recommendations of reducing staff on firetrucks and other cuts. As the ...