photo by: Journal-World

The Douglas County budget hearings will begin on Monday, July 8, at 9 a.m. at the Douglas County Public Works facility, 3755 E. 25th St.

Douglas County’s budget hearings are starting next week, and County Administrator Sarah Plinsky along with her staff are proposing a $206 million budget and a plan to keep the property tax rate flat for 2025.

As the Journal-World reported, last year, commissioners adopted a $190.7 million budget for 2024. The proposed plan increases the 2025 budget by $15.3 million. The proposed mill levy — one mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value — is 44.208 mills, which is nearly the same and a flat rate from last year. For 2024, the mill levy was 44.209 mills.

The county commissioners will begin reviewing the 2025 Douglas County budget during several meetings next week, starting Monday, at the Douglas County Public Works facility, 3755 E. 25th St.

According to a news release from the county, there have been increases in sales tax revenues during the past few years, and that is one reason budget revenues are projected to increase in 2025. There has also been improvement in interest income, generating $1.25 million more in revenue compared to the previous year.

A majority of the county’s revenues, 77%, are coming from property taxes. Total assessed valuation for real estate and personal property rose by 6.8% in 2024, down from 10.98% last year. That 6.8% increase will likely mean many property owners will see an increase in their county tax bill despite the property tax rate holding steady. Property taxes are based both on the rate set by the county and on the taxable value of each individual property.

Plinsky said that the budget allocates funds for behavioral health projects and will enhance support for supportive housing. There will be $2.8 million dedicated to housing projects with DCCCA, Cardinal Housing Network Inc., Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church and the City of Lawrence. In addition, $600,000 will support a new Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool to help individuals who need supportive housing.

Plinsky told the Journal-World the county has taken leadership in the supportive housing space and wants to support those with behavioral health or substance abuse issues. These projects are a major step in ending chronic homelessness in Douglas County.

“These projects are beginning to break ground now, and this budget furthers the support of those projects,” Plinsky said.

Additionally, the commissioners will review at least 50 requests for funding from Douglas County departments and community partners, totaling $20.1 million. These requests are not included in the proposed budget.

The commission will convene from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday next week for the budget hearings. The public can attend in person or by using Zoom. Meeting information and recordings of the hearings will be available on the county website. Commissioners will begin deliberations at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 11.

There will also be budget hearings for the five-year Capital Improvement Plan and Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No. 1. Those hearings will be on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 4 p.m.

The budget will be finalized during a public hearing scheduled for the County Commission meeting on Aug. 28. To view the proposed budget, visit https://dgcoks.gov/open-budget.