photo by: Zoom screenshot

Douglas County commissioners met on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.

Most residential and commercial properties in Douglas County will see their 2026 values rise between 1% and 8%, the county’s Appraiser’s Office said in a memo to commissioners.

“These value increases are typically due to year-over-year price increases, supply-demand imbalances, renovations or additions to existing structures, or changes in property use,” the memo said. Change of value notices will be sent out to county residents on Friday.

On Wednesday, county commissioners were briefed on the county’s property tax system and tax incentive programs during a work session. No action was taken following the session, as it was for informational purposes only.

The county’s tax team is made up of several staff from different county departments, including the Appraiser’s Office, County Clerk’s Office, Treasurer’s Office and County Administration. The team is responsible for managing a $279 million revenue cycle and mails up to 50,000 pieces of mail to county taxpayers.

Douglas County’s property tax process for the 2026 tax year began in January with property valuation and initial revenue distributions. In the spring, value notices are mailed and appeals are reviewed. By early summer, certified values are shared with taxing districts to guide budget planning, followed by budget reviews and revenue neutral notifications. In the fall, budgets and mill levies are finalized and the tax roll is certified. In December, tax statements are mailed and payments are due.

While the process for the 2026 tax year is happening, the offices are also wrapping up the previous tax year with county residents’ second half of their property tax bill due in May. Staff also begin thinking about the following tax year by evaluating the county’s end of year balances.

County staff also highlighted several proposed bills involving property taxes currently moving through the Kansas Legislature, as the Jounal-World reported. One of those bills is the “Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026,” which would phase out property taxes over a few years, reducing them 50% in 2026, 75% in 2027, and eliminating them entirely by 2028.

To replace lost revenue for local governments, schools, and other taxing entities, the bill would create a new “Kansas fair share purchase surcharge” on almost all retail purchases, for example, a flat fee on transactions of $20 or more and a percentage on smaller purchases. The revenue would be distributed to taxing subdivisions, the state general fund, and a new property tax freedom reserve fund.

As the Journal-World reported, Douglas County’s property tax rebate program for low-income seniors and disabled veterans is currently accepting applications until April 15. The program is available to county residents who are 65 and older or who are disabled veterans. According to the Douglas County website, the maximum rebate payment per household is $400.

Property owners who want to appeal their property value must fill out a request form located on the back of the change of value notice and submit it to the Appraiser’s Office by 5 p.m. Monday, March 30. Submissions can be mailed or dropped off at the office, which is in the basement of the County Courthouse at 1100 Massachusetts St., or emailed to appeals@dgcoks.gov.

There will also be informational sessions including a presentation about the valuation process, current market trends, property taxes and the appeal process, followed by time to talk one-on-one with a staff appraiser. They will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the following Mondays:

• March 9, Lecompton Community Building, 333 Elmore St., Lecompton.

• March 16, Baldwin City Library, 800 Seventh St., Baldwin City.

• March 23, Eudora City Hall, Commission Chambers, 4 E. Seventh St., Eudora.

• March 30, Historic Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., second floor, Lawrence.

There were no regular agenda items for the County Commission’s meeting on Wednesday.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, COMMISSIONERS:

• Approved two separate agenda items for fiscal year 2026 Specialty Court Funding Award Agreements for the Douglas County Drug Court and Behavioral Health Court.

The county’s Drug Court was awarded $27,319 to cover the cost of sending four team members to the July All Rise conference in Nashville, Tennessee, including housing and airfare. The funding will also be used for participant support such as Uber/Lyft gift cards and cell phones/phone cards. The Behavioral Health Court was awarded $26,964 to also cover the cost of sending four team members to the July All Rise conference along with similar participant support.

• Deferred a vote on the state fiscal year 2027 Kansas Department of Corrections 7th Judicial District Juvenile Community Corrections Comprehensive Plan grant application totaling $570,965 for the county’s juvenile justice services. The grant supports required graduated sanctions programs as well as prevention services. Commissioners deferred the vote so staff could make some modifications to the application, and it will be considered again at the next business meeting.

• Approved the state fiscal year 2027 Adult Community Corrections Comprehensive Plan grant application for funding from the Kansas Department of Corrections totaling $826,440. This includes $721,270 for adult community corrections services, $50,169 in DUI funds, and $55,000 in behavioral health adult grants. In SFY 2025, the program supervised 210 cases and achieved an 82.6% successful closure rate, exceeding the state target of 75%, the agenda said.

• Approved two separate agenda items from the Public Works department – to solicit bids for supply of rock aggregates and hot mix asphalt, both for the 2026 maintenance of county roads, bridges and parks.