[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6328891,"mediaKeyId","2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8","parentId",2316759,"title","Douglas County backs LB309 to fund battery collection and recycling after safety presentation","audioSeconds",1373,"startMs",4140000,"endMs",5513000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8&start=4140&end=5513","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8/thumbnail_4140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328891/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-backs-LB309-to-fund-battery-collection-and-recycling-after-safety-presentation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328891-14053c31952a30d334a46e3006ab2816/orig.mp4?Expires=1776005713&Signature=dsXnMluDYpY69gBTZVXsdosWSTx4lopyMJG2KtdDt3hsXGTx5T5IrsdPzoDZ-tJQqX2ztghcoqapc294vE5soxSyimwKZYlUAirepfYZem1U6UqVPsyY041EATZnx0RHnyCDGRvSgDWh8MmmQiP5U8FcO-6X-YRHxG-dM~0gwXlMNcnLbx9eAZoiwa8DPt~icXbmNSgW8lhMp2enP3NHNApvSIprpDDfmf886VL81uQCJMPc8eSiAot4-WsgwXxdc2mYb8CGAyoh2iQANDuqkqp0e3bMCt-kgRg35n1lsSbmMnAxvtwMqSzHJPNBS4Q8KjbOnGLE8er5jIjzExGcVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County, NE","date","2025-02-11T19:19:24Z","article","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to support a proposed state bill, LB309, that would establish a stewardship framework for safe battery collection and recycling after a presentation from Kent Holm, the county’s environmental services director.

Holm told the board lithium‑ion batteries — found in e‑bikes, portable electronics and power tools — have caused fires at waste‑handling facilities, in collection trucks and in housing units. He presented photographs and a short video demonstrating thermal runaway, the phenomenon by which a compromised lithium battery can rapidly ignite and burn very hot.

Holm described extended producer responsibility (EPR) as a best practice being considered nationally and said LB309 would create a stewardship organization funded by manufacturers that could reimburse local collection sites (including household hazardous‑waste drop‑offs such as the county’s under‑sink facility) and expand the collection network beyond a few retailers. He said that approach shifts collection costs from taxpayers to producers, improves recycling and incentivizes manufacturers to design safer, more recyclable products.

Holm asked for board support of LB309; the board’s motion to support the bill passed after a second, with Commissioner Friend recording an abstention. County staff said they would share summaries and resources with commissioners to aid review and outreach.

Commissioner Friend said he abstained because he had not yet finished reviewing the 19‑page bill and because he had concerns about potential commerce and manufacturing impacts if Nebraska were the only state adopting a particular approach. Other speakers mentioned stakeholders who had signaled support or were monitoring the bill, including the League of Nebraska Municipalities, the Rechargeable Battery Association (which provided technical comments) and national waste‑and‑recycling groups.

Holm said LB309 focused on portable and consumer batteries and would not address larger electric‑vehicle battery packs, which he described as a separate policy area. He said the county would provide written summaries of the bill and related materials to the board and, if necessary, the county lobbyist would testify in Lincoln on behalf of the county if weather prevents Holm from traveling.

After the vote Holm thanked the board and noted the safety implications of battery fires for waste‑handling, recycling and first responders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Douglas County Nebraska meeting February 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a presentation on rising fire risks from lithium‑ion batteries, the Douglas County Board voted to support LB309, a proposed state bill to establish producer‑funded battery collection and recycling; the motion passed with Commissioner Friend abstaining.","taxTitle","Douglas County, Nebraska","taxId",2554,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328895,"Douglas County appoints Michael Goodwillie as assessor; Goodwillie sworn in to finish Peffer term",121,3742000,3863000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8&start=3742&end=3863","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8/thumbnail_3742000.jpg","/articles/6328895/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-appoints-Michael-Goodwillie-as-assessor-Goodwillie-sworn-in-to-finish-Peffer-term","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328895-b9a2f9d0bbd2fc5acdadb318ba6b0412/orig.mp4?Expires=1776005713&Signature=PXz56yTnIxKiBmE9frbK9Tkx6QM8zcr5XNObIhHGkIKFPXRfSqjsro~QD-eHcUG1hyiPwC7AK65hFNUrH8ykxm5YC7aTg1dMf-KPD17WAofUfZVLOihXTt~nD2YrZbza3T8cNjh6PrY6Spr-0l--L6fzQLbe41Qr~ERq5wKzG25sgDRzfx5-QWmjcwIp1kFJAgJL9WOTgqQJ~1VcNpP32K1KGAqIdClrRZeal1e4Mng~FTqU2E771wXxfGuRlOJaRreTFWDwdn3ssvRg~bwXgnYYTkfQDxUBZaNDUidNUK-rjOFunvpCfOvNauG2h-aOqBdIKUslwnxxlEzQhZS-sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 Tuesday to appoint Michael Goodwillie to the office of Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds to complete the unexpired term of the late Walt Peffer.

Following the board vote, a judge administered the oath of office and Goodwillie said he was honored by the appointment and praised assessor’s office staff for steady operations during the leadership transition.

At the dais Goodwillie thanked commissioners and staff, described the appointment as a vote of confidence in the office’s direction and said he did not anticipate significant operational changes. He also thanked his family; his daughter Lauren participated by Zoom from London.

The board’s resolution authorizes Goodwillie to serve in the assessor/register of deeds role for the remainder of the term; the motion to appoint passed unanimously.

Goodwillie said he intends to continue the office’s current course and to work with county officials and staff across offices.","The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Mike Goodwillie as Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds to complete the unexpired term of the late Walt Peffer. Goodwillie was sworn in and thanked staff and family.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328900,"Douglas County corrections director reports staffing gains, steady mental‑health caseload and progress on jail mental‑health wing",880,1491000,2371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8&start=1491&end=2371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8/thumbnail_1491000.jpg","/articles/6328900/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-corrections-director-reports-staffing-gains-steady-mentalhealth-caseload-and-progress-on-jail-mentalhealth-wing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328900-8a6ad1f825ee3d8c7746068e2ce40cc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776005713&Signature=QsK1lOrEN-PefG21ZGi-vtpB4as7rzS2lySlVOiRTZlgEulg4uZocJh5IffOq21IKOUMAWQIavgHU4uCDIfPiMBQgsKtxv8XnDa~fc~huMPduVJIaMlnOA-~ARp0dzSv9SSQQ6It4pfV60dlFxjmX-SCDxLRIjYytHiYw44H5wvy2U4qqrD4xfwb4xwRZJVOQAw9E3bdx7-lZ122eflfXKIfJKyePCbGN-MwXfCTny7nW25oc2E5yOJyQzSFEFpldieLbIoYQiI3PdupHhgbJa6Tt-KdVGqNesT8UP7lbUNdP~H-3ljWYON606OyolTT4veSpfSGbuJu9sYNCzxP6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Myers, Douglas County Director of Corrections, told the Board of Corrections on Tuesday that January operational metrics showed a mix of staffing gains, continued mental‑health burdens in the jail population and progress on a planned mental‑health addition to county correctional facilities.

Myers said the department was $435,706 under budget after seven months of the fiscal year and reported $237,007 in overtime costs for January; he attributed the overtime uptick to increased sick and other leave. He said six officers below sergeant and one sergeant left employment in January and four officers were promoted from CO1 to CO2; the county’s correctional-officer ranks were at about 103% of authorized staffing, including a class of 19 cadets that began January 13 and will graduate Feb. 22.

Myers summarized program and population numbers: the sanctions and transitional discharge centers placed 11 individuals into community corrections in January (saving 59 jail bed days), work release admitted 31 people, house arrest admitted 80, the reentry assistance program admitted 19, and 300 people were placed on pretrial release. He said an estimated 3,960 jail bed days were saved by monitoring and alternatives, which he translated into a detention savings of about $673,254.

Population and health figures included 1,420 admissions and 1,365 releases in January, a high daily count of 1,039 and an average length of stay of 25 days for those released in the month. Myers said 49% of inmates stayed longer than 72 hours (average 49 days) while 51% were released within 72 hours (average 1.4 days). He reported that 65% of the jail population were minorities, 16% were female, and about 18% were homeless or nearly homeless.

On mental health, Myers cited Stepping Up‑initiative data in the packet showing that bookings with a serious mental illness remained in the high 20s as a percentage of bookings; December finished at 30.2% for individuals booked with a serious mental illness and an average daily figure of roughly 33.2% with a serious mental illness. He highlighted improved access to the Lincoln Regional Center: average wait times for admission dropped from 154 days (in earlier years) to 69 days in 2024, a change Myers credited in part to increased bed capacity there.

Myers said the department’s crisis negotiation and Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) each deployed 11 times in January; deployments included welfare checks, high‑risk medical transports and area searches that turned up minor contraband. He also reported construction progress on a mental‑health addition, noting deep foundations with 148 concrete pilings about 80 feet deep and initial above‑ground work for stair and elevator towers.

Commissioners asked for additional breakdowns on drug and alcohol problems and program availability; Myers said daily 12‑step meetings and other programming occur and that staff can provide further detail on substance‑use caseloads and program capacity.

Myers concluded by noting an upcoming accreditation audit by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care and that staff continue to refine pretrial tracking software to provide more detailed outcome measures for violations and court appearance tracking.","Director Michael Myers reported January operational figures to the Board of Corrections: staffing near or above authorized levels, increases in some community‑based releases that saved jail bed days, and ongoing construction of a mental‑health addition to the jail.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6328905,"Douglas County Board keeps greenbelt valuation for three parcels after protest",1262,185000,1447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8&start=185&end=1447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2316759-21287c87b5628809e754e9f33e5890b8/thumbnail_185000.jpg","/articles/6328905/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-Board-keeps-greenbelt-valuation-for-three-parcels-after-protest","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328905-6e6c560c4040f4c1e4a3153db43c0f0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776005713&Signature=ZQCfXRyHqaM0ssKpr750y~KLAuDZWZeWJ2tHWJSVNrB4MV~hhJtOKZGAHrwDJpL~-bredfW2zcgonPKSAnA3dV-5smFYgyIwlDGDma-ftA2i0JjXKfQkwylsn~84Lof03Z1qkFGQxxsCGvBaljRzKrb4ioQV3yNKJlVFbrt2OiqEfj4RrzM9-eylaAlktplvbIoqi3ulGyR9qg4l-a0OgNnjC6QlYRoec5nN8m-SNAtykr3e2JB22xaEu1NnZhobaAhuEdseFuuM6vnT2Vd8qjjiQJwPwBw4sr8MsZDOxBFCGZUMXyf~WcJkl1Uiw0~HpO6xk68jkOYvkwBJ9YsE7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of Equalization voted 6-0 Tuesday to continue greenbelt (special valuation) status for three parcels after an owner protested a disqualification notice from county appraisers.

The decision preserves the agricultural-value tax assessment for the parcels for now; county staff had sent a disqualification letter after an appraiser observed bulldozing, removal of structures and disturbed soil that staff said suggested the end of meaningful agricultural use.

Mike Goodwillie, of the Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds office, told commissioners the special valuation preference applies only to land “primarily used for agricultural purposes.” He said an appraiser who visited the parcels near Skyline Drive saw bulldozing and removed structures and therefore issued a disqualification letter late in 2024 that, if upheld, would move the parcels to a more market-based value for 2025.

Property owner Ray Anderson told the board he has owned the land for 45 years and leases the ground to a farmer for $1 a year. Anderson said he bulldozed soil and removed an old house to build a new home on the house site and that about 4–5 inches of soil were moved to prepare the house site. He said the front parcel has been farmed (beans last year) and that he expects it to be planted again this spring; he asked the board to retain the greenbelt valuation.

Commissioners asked staff for acreage and value context. Commissioner Cavanaugh and county staff estimated the three parcels total roughly 25 acres, with about 7–10 acres in active row-crop production and the balance wooded or described as “wasteland.” Goodwillie said market development ground in the area was being valued at roughly $28,000 per acre in recent sales, compared with agricultural (greenbelt) rates that can be much lower.

Goodwillie told the board that under state law a disqualification letter makes the change prospective: a property keeps its special valuation for the year the letter is sent and would receive a market-based value the following assessment year unless the owner files and qualifies for special valuation again. He noted a property owner who can replant and submit a special-valuation application by the June 30 deadline may restore agricultural valuation for the next assessment cycle.

After questions from commissioners and Mr. Anderson’s remarks, the board voted to continue the greenbelt valuation for the three parcels. The motion passed 6 to 0.

The county assessor’s office told the owner it would be willing to re-inspect if an ag crop is planted and a special-valuation application is filed before the June 30 deadline; if the office finds crops in place it said it would reinstate the agricultural assessment for 2025, with the revised value reflected on the December levy and payable in 2026.

The record shows the owner may reapply and staff will re-evaluate in the field.","The Douglas County Board of Equalization voted 6-0 to retain agricultural (greenbelt) valuation on three parcels after the owner, Ray Anderson, protested a disqualification letter sent by county appraisers who observed bulldozing and removal of structures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Douglas County backs LB309 to fund battery collection and recycling after safety presentation

Douglas County appoints Michael Goodwillie as assessor; Goodwillie sworn in to finish Peffer term

Douglas County corrections director reports staffing gains, steady mental‑health caseload and progress on jail mental‑health wing

Douglas County Board keeps greenbelt valuation for three parcels after protest