Douglas County Commissioners set the 2020 county budget for publication during their July 17 meeting.

They recommended a .379 mill levy increase, which raises the mill levy from 46.015 to 46.394. The owner of a $185,000 home will pay the county about $8 more in property taxes.

The 2020 budget includes additional funding for:

Douglas County Public Works now plans to close Route 1061 (E 2200 Road) to through traffic between Route 458 (N 1000 Road) and K-10 Highway beginning Wednesday, July 31, for a large culvert replacement project. It was originally scheduled to close Monday, July 29. The closure postponement is necessary since construction on Route 458 from E 1900 Road to E 2000 Road will not be completed and the road opened to traffic by Monday, July 29.

Clint Flory was born and raised in Douglas County and was active in 4-H, like his father and grandfather. That meant he spent a lot of time at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in east Lawrence, where he attended 4-H meetings, competitions and the county fair.

He also met his wife, Josie, at the fairgrounds, and now their children – ages 11, 13 and 14 – are active in 4-H as well. “We’ve all grown up here,” he said.

Douglas County Public Works announces a portion of Route 460 (N 700 Road) at Vinland will be closed on Tuesday, July 16, and Wednesday, July 17, for two culvert replacements, weather permitting.

Fireworks can be legally discharged in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County as long as the property owner has given permission and provides supervision. Fireworks are allowed at the following times:

• Wednesday, July 1 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Thursday, July 2 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday, July 3 - 7 a.m. to midnight
• Saturday, July 4 - 7 a.m. to midnight

Fireworks should not be discharged on a public street or roadway.

Douglas County Route 458 (North 1000 Road) from East 1900 Road to East 2000 Road will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday, June 24, weather permitting, for the resumption of construction project activities. Route 1057 (E 1900 Road) will remain open to north-south traffic. A detour will be re-established following Route 1057 (East 1900 Road), Route 460 (North 700 Road), and Route 1061 (East 2200 Road). 

Douglas County offers an online tool called myStrength that is available 24/7. It's free and confidential! MyStrength offers a variety of programs, including: mindfulness and meditation, improving sleep, reducing stress, controlling anxiety, managing depression, balancing intense emotions, facing racism and discrimination, and coping with COVID-19.

To sign up for myStrength, visit https://mystrength.com and use access code: Douglas County.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Kansas businesses and residents affected by tornadoes and severe storms that occurred May 28, announced acting Administrator Christopher M. Pilkerton of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Governor Laura Kelly on June 12.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Douglas, Franklin, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Osage and Shawnee counties.

Douglas County is seeking proposals from contractors for the removal of disaster generated construction and demolition (C&D) debris from public lands, easements, and rights-of-way, the reduction of woody debris by grinding at one Debris Management Site, and the hauling off of the woody debris mulch generated by grinding from the same Debris Management Site. Removal of private property disaster debris moved to within reach of public rights-of-way is included.

Amy Roust, Douglas County Senior GIS Analyst, has received first place in the 2019 GIS Certification Institute Map Contest for her entry titled, “Risk Assessment for Alien Abduction.” It’s a statistical analysis on the probability of being abducted by aliens based on sightings around the world.

Douglas County GIS Coordinator Bryce Hirschman described the contest as fiercely competitive. “All of the exhibits are very well done,” he said.

Jasmin Moore describes sustainability as “living today like you really believe that there’s going to be a tomorrow.” The definition was developed by a youth group she worked with in Central Arkansas. She likes it because it’s relatable.

“It’s easy for kids to digest and understand that if they throw their can on the ground, it probably will be there tomorrow and the next day and 10 years from now, unless somebody picks it up and places it in the recycling bin,” she said.

Douglas County Emergency Management staff has compiled the following Q&A information to help those who are recovering from the May 28 tornado, and for those who want to provide assistance.

Q: How can I get assistance?

A: If you were impacted by the tornado and need any type of assistance (debris removal, financial, emotional) or have questions, please call 2-1-1.