photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Douglas County commissioners met on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

Douglas County commissioners approved the process for the new tenant eviction defense pilot on Wednesday, and staff will solicit proposals for legal service providers.

The vote was 3-1, with Commissioner Gene Dorsey the lone no vote and Commissioner Erica Anderson absent. The goal of the tenant eviction pilot program is to provide access to free legal eviction defense services to eligible tenants in Douglas County and assist participants in stabilizing their current housing and prevent homelessness. The pilot will run from June 1 through December 31, 2026.

County officials are going to release an informal request for proposals to help them select a qualified nonprofit legal service provider to administer the program, offering both legal advice and full representation to tenants as they navigate eviction proceedings.

The plan is to use the data findings from the pilot along with participant feedback to evaluate the program’s overall impact and whether to expand or continue the program in the future.

“If they are paying rent to a property owner in Douglas County then they are effectively paying property taxes in our community,” Commissioner Shannon Reid said. ” … I’m hopeful to see that by further enhancing the work … that we can start to see some better information about gaps. What we can address is a small starting spot, and I’m hopeful to see good information that makes me feel more confident about why this tool is a necessary investment.”

County commissioners voted in favor of creating the pilot in March, and it will be funded using $40,000 already included in the County Commission’s 2026 budget for eviction prevention activities. Commissioner Patrick Kelly said this is an experiment that will give the county needed data.

“It may just create more questions, I’m not really sure,” Kelly said. “But I appreciate those who recognize that this is an experiment to try something and see what we find out and understand that this level of investment is worth that to do that.”

As the Journal-World reported, the selected provider will determine eligibility and what level of legal support is appropriate, whether that be brief consultation, full representation, or referral to other community resources such as rental assistance or mediation services.

The provider will also be responsible for administering and tracking the program. This includes verifying eligibility, coordinating services, maintaining records, and submitting regular reports to the county. They will monitor outcomes such as whether cases are dismissed, resolved through agreements, or result in tenants vacating their homes.

The anticipated closing date to accept proposals from providers is April 30. Staff will evaluate the proposals from May 1 through May 8. The county administrator will make a recommendation for a provider by May 13 to make sure services begin by June 1.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, COMMISSIONERS:

• Heard about the findings from the first phase of a comprehensive consultation and review of the Treatment and Recovery Center, TRC, during a work session. According to a memo from Multipass Consulting, the facility is a critical investment in the county’s behavioral health crisis response system and is reducing the reliance on emergency departments.

However, the consultants said the center is still in a developmental phase, with opportunities to improve patient flow, clarify how capacity is defined and used, and better align operations with the demands of a 24/7 crisis care model.

As the Journal-World reported, the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center requested $1 million from the county in December 2025 in order to support TRC operations in 2026, but commissioners said that before they could consider the funding, an external and financial review of the facility needed to be completed.

No action was taken following the session, as it was for informational purposes only. A comprehensive final report with detailed recommendations will be shared with the County Commission in May.

• Authorized the Public Works department to solicit bids for 3,500 tons of de-icing salt for roadways during the 2026-2027 winter storm season.