Proposed 2024 Douglas County budget includes flat mill levy

In the general fund — the largest and most general purpose of the County’s budgeted funds — approximately 77% of Douglas County’s revenues are from ad valorem taxes and 10% are from sales taxes. Total assessed valuation for real estate and personal property increased 10.98% in 2022 compared to 12.44% the year before. During the past two years, the assessed valuation growth rate has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic stimulus, leading to fluctuation in the normal rate of growth seen in Douglas County. From 2018 to 2020, the average increase in assessed valuation was 5.09% percent. When the past two years of 2022 and 2023 are included for a five-year average, the rate of growth is 7.23%. 

Sales tax revenues have increased over the past several years, which has led to an increased budget of $9 million in the general fund and $6.1 million in the behavioral health sales tax fund. 

The proposed budget provides for price increases in existing services and commodities, including increased expenses for road and bridge materials, utilities and fuel. The proposed budget maintains funding for behavioral health projects countywide and consolidates the $2.4 million of general fund support with the behavioral health sales tax funding of $6.1 million. This consistent funding level from 2023 provides for ongoing funding for the Treatment and Recovery Center, substance abuse treatment, behavioral health court and intensive case coordination. 

The 2023 proposed budget does not eliminate any current county services or base funding for nonprofit organizations that provide behavioral health, historical, conservation and economic development services in Douglas County. Many of these nonprofits serve at-risk populations and provide a vital safety net for community members. 

Douglas County Commissioners will review the proposed budget, which is available online at dgcoks.org/budget. They also will consider over 30 funding requests totaling $16.5 million from Douglas County departments and community partners that are not included in the proposed budget. Of the $16.5 million, $5.3 million are requests for one-time resources. 

The budget hearings will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 5. The hearings are scheduled to be held from 9 a.m. to noon July 5-7 and the public can attend in person or by using Zoom. Commissioners will begin budget deliberations at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 10. Meeting information is available on the county’s website at dgcoks.org/commissionmeetings, where recordings of the hearings and deliberations also will be provided. 

The budget will be adopted during a public hearing that will be held during the County Commission business meeting on August 30.