[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6305400,"mediaKeyId","2448536-9381180e238c277508d63f4a8194a771","parentId",2448536,"title","Board approves consent agenda, two heritage proclamations and a Class C liquor manager; routine votes pass unanimously","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",297000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2448536-9381180e238c277508d63f4a8194a771&start=297&end=297","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2448536-9381180e238c277508d63f4a8194a771/thumbnail_297000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6305400/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Board-approves-consent-agenda-two-heritage-proclamations-and-a-Class-C-liquor-manager-routine-votes-pass-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305400-bb5eb1647e05def117bede946c806d69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168352&Signature=E--adnN2nXfW9q3h0TxtzTI~mdr2uxjn3E~X0YNFCxYEUv08U08yF8~XKydxw418lwrqTAZ~FnbU6M-kGzQU0-rqaIBoxa038GVbd8sqtoBpNwwNvfVvmiRUB3Fp7OmfKrC1RhWvCswJUSkNnawAjYU2sMeICK6ClEnqhTQVsWVUFZU2N3M-A~jRnXnD4bSEV4-3AqxhwfRGYtmyp6ZDS-Wqoeh-s~-w4VkL0VTxImNgHnTmRrLRX63bLsDDkyV~Y-2MMVZGX13OFNJvD~I8cisQLWczdvFRYVqliJP1fV2NOntqPNoL0DQax-ML0qfg6O5mXTHa-dizOYQ5e51sbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County, NE","date","2025-02-25T19:20:03Z","article","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved routine business and a slate of consent items Tuesday, including amendments to an item affecting the county housing authority, proclamations marking Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month, and a Class C liquor license manager application.

At the start of the meeting the Board of Equalization approved minutes from its Feb. 11 meeting and set a hearing date of March 11 for certified assessment corrections. Minutes and claims for the Board of Commissioners were approved by vote.

Under recognitions and proclamations, the board adopted a resolution recognizing March 2025 as Women’s History Month and invited Laura Bird Kuhn, coach of the Omaha Supernovas professional volleyball team, to speak briefly about youth and community impacts. The board also adopted a resolution proclaiming March 2025 as Irish American Heritage Month; Ed Fogarty of the Omaha Irish Cultural Center spoke in support.

On the consent agenda, the board approved items A through M after staff removed and deferred item N to the March 11 meeting. Dan Ash, the county clerk, requested a correction to one consent item to change “Douglas Housing Authority” to “Douglas County Housing Authority,” which the board accepted. Commissioners asked for brief clarifications on two consent items during discussion: an interlocal mutual‑aid agreement (the Douglas‑Sarpy mutual‑aid interlocal, which authorizes cross‑jurisdictional law enforcement support) and a youth‑center mentoring agreement between the Douglas County Youth Center and the nonprofit Stop the Nonsense. Deputy chiefs and program staff described the mutual‑aid agreement as a long‑standing five‑year interlocal that allows cross‑jurisdictional assistance — including hot pursuit and overlapping investigations — and said the youth‑center partnership has operated for roughly four years with mentors supporting educational and career efforts at Metro Community College.

The board opened a public hearing on a Class C license application for Red Rock Canyon Grill, Omaha LLC (Mahogany Prime Steakhouse) at 225 North 140th Street and approved the manager application for Andrew Roy by a 7‑0 vote.

The board also announced committee meetings and community events, including a March 8 mental‑health awareness night with the Omaha Lancers and an upcoming Community Services meeting discussing Visitor Improvement Fund grants. Chair and commissioners moved into executive session for litigation and labor negotiations later in the meeting; the motion for executive session passed 7‑0.

Votes at a glance
- Board of Equalization minutes (Feb. 11) and set hearing date (March 11) — approved (voice) 7‑0.
- Resolution: Women’s History Month proclamation — approved 7‑0; guest: Laura Bird Kuhn, coach, Omaha Supernovas (remarks recorded).
- Resolution: Irish American Heritage Month proclamation — approved 7‑0; guest: Ed Fogarty, Omaha Irish Cultural Center (remarks recorded).
- Consent agenda A–M (item N tabled to March 11); correction: Douglas County Housing Authority — approved 7‑0.
- Class C liquor manager application (Red Rock Canyon Grill / Mahogany Prime; manager: Andrew Roy) — approved 7‑0.
- Motion to enter executive session for litigation and labor negotiations — approved 7‑0.

Why it matters: These routine approvals set procedural dates, confirm county partnerships for public‑safety mutual aid and youth mentoring, and recognize community celebrations and events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Douglas County Nebraska meeting February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Douglas County Board approved minutes, consent items with minor corrections, proclamations for Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month, and a Class C liquor license manager application. The board also scheduled a Board of Equalization hearing and moved into executive session for litigation and labor negotiations.","taxTitle","Douglas County, Nebraska","taxId",2554,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6305405,"Douglas County Sheriff's Office reports drop in many property crimes, rising fentanyl seizures and traffic‑safety gains",1635,3085000,4720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2448536-9381180e238c277508d63f4a8194a771&start=3085&end=4720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2448536-9381180e238c277508d63f4a8194a771/thumbnail_3085000.jpg","/articles/6305405/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-Sheriffs-Office-reports-drop-in-many-property-crimes-rising-fentanyl-seizures-and-trafficsafety-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305405-362a067006f423f8224a12add70e1c63/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168352&Signature=KMXhjgLjGWuyLbuEG5igu8fQnGxY~dVwIJjSglDWE5wOxQ6isVSwDmq2j0TrNT9qJ4xtx2KBZMWJYYJUZ8AByqAQnwkd7XF~RQgQ8O8k3xxtLTcdq0VxLeST5FnoFpniLQNQD0P6BYUFVtoC0AW~0j~RwoqIH6yzAVqucWFGn9CXZkmzhg1SLhGIZd7hsdwYe4FGsrcTz5hEdn-17eD7XQU5Fcl5JVPYHJDQ-LxW06XiwaR-tLXUe7lqAqgBU812PTn9wIXg2lNHQ7LX3UAr19z32XEccJEdahXm7vH6otYLjXZ8q~Iq9Ug7VmZsliFIsUHvdN-AMyAnERTLteZJtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff's Office leaders briefed the Douglas County Board of Commissioners Tuesday on 2024 crime trends and operational changes, reporting significant declines in several property‑crime counts while noting sharp increases in the street value of some thefts and large rises in fentanyl seizures.

Chief Deputy Will Nemach introduced the presentation and said the sheriff’s office restructured investigative assignments to split property and person crimes. Captain Sellers said that division allowed detectives to specialize and be more proactive, which he credited with falling case counts in multiple property‑crime categories.

\"We've divided our teams into property crimes and person crimes,\" Captain Sellers said, describing a strategy that directed investigative resources to repeat offenders and high‑harm targets. He reported year‑over‑year decreases in several categories: theft reports down 18%, theft from vehicle down 32%, auto theft down 30%, burglary down 7%, and total property thefts down 23%.

At the same time, officials said monetary losses rose in some categories because thieves are increasingly targeting high‑value construction equipment such as skid steers and telehandlers. Captain Sellers said construction‑site theft counts fell about 27% while the dollar value of losses rose about 55% because suspects stole heavier and more expensive equipment.

The sheriff’s Special Operations Group — a roughly eight‑person unit staffed by tactically trained deputies and supported by federal task‑force assignments — also reported steep increases in some narcotics seizures in 2024: methamphetamine and cocaine seizures rose, and fentanyl seizures increased substantially. Officials said fentanyl strength and presence in counterfeit prescription pills are major concerns; prescription pills seized rose dramatically as well.

Deputy Andy Woodward, assigned to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service task force, reported packages seized in 2024 that included multiple pounds of fentanyl, methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

The department credited license‑plate reader data and cooperation with area builders and the Metro Omaha Builders Association (MOBA) for helping develop suspects in construction‑theft cases. The Special Operations Group also produced federal indictments on several multi‑month cases.

On traffic safety, Captain Chris Peterson said total traffic fatalities increased statewide in 2024, but traffic fatalities in unincorporated Douglas County fell about 10% while overall countywide fatalities rose. Peterson said the Sheriff's Office Community Action Team (CAAT) focuses on problem intersections and high‑risk driving incidents and that the county will add another CAAT member in March.

\"We are making a major impact with traffic in unincorporated Douglas County,\" Peterson said, adding the office is coordinating with state highway departments and county roads to adjust signal timing and speed transitions on routes that may contribute to crashes.

Commissioners praised deputies for outreach efforts, including clothing and donation drives for people in encampments and the department’s efforts to connect people with services. Commissioner Cavanaugh asked the sheriff to return with a similar presentation on crimes against persons; Sheriff Aaron Hanson and staff agreed to provide that follow‑up within 30 days.

Why it matters: The briefing shows a tactical shift toward concentrated investigative teams, use of technology such as license‑plate readers, enhanced cooperation with builders and federal partners, and a targeted traffic safety program — measures county officials say are producing measurable declines in many crimes and targeted reductions in unincorporated‑county traffic fatalities.","Sheriff's Office officials told the Board of Commissioners that targeted investigative units and license‑plate readers helped reduce many property‑crime counts in 2024, even as dollar losses on construction thefts and fentanyl seizures grew; traffic fatalities in unincorporated county fell and the Community Action Team will expand.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6305410,"Douglas County Board unanimously opposes LB 541, citing voter access and cost concerns",1521,1592000,3113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2448536-9381180e238c277508d63f4a8194a771&start=1592&end=3113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2448536-9381180e238c277508d63f4a8194a771/thumbnail_1592000.jpg","/articles/6305410/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-Board-unanimously-opposes-LB-541-citing-voter-access-and-cost-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6305410-f5a6e8a5e78f0e57f61a29fdc2bc00e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168352&Signature=EFWCDCHzRHfamKyRskr8b9ikfk7d9-OjJ6UEM9-KECqpjE~xhOf0FdfogwLaxBRMBrs5f6d4k4C4wt8RqB1PoLYyLJ1oDOkSZ63R7l5dtI5Iwe6OqmwQ2XCQmZv1sAAb4lw-iOdBgPi5lHJEcwXH-l2cdCv~M9jJvKlQECefON9yxX342S93MMZozcUvceR4YrcUDx7-ocpqY2zE833F~7WrkRtXf29F88t4JO~EbozEvboIcWm5EDPdNrq-3wkNNoJ5uddl4nMoZJW-kklwEvT2MNaUS9eH5LNg2YkW7nRJLybO008AcPvmxENaIQWKr8j4edLlTGdYYZWNhpKa3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 Tuesday to oppose Nebraska Legislative Bill LB 541 after a presentation from Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Cruz outlining changes the bill would require and the costs the county could face.

Cruz told the board LB 541 would “take a lot of rights away from voters,” eliminate online voter registration in some provisions, reduce the early-voting period from 35 days to 22 days, and increase the state-mandated post-election manual audit from 10% to 25%, all of which he said would be expensive and operationally disruptive.

\"We have a system that works. It works well,\" Cruz said, urging the board to oppose the bill and noting the county already had to hire significant temporary staff for the last election. He said Douglas County had to hire 22 additional employees for last fall’s election and estimated the fiscal impact of rolling back early voting and increasing labor-intensive post‑election work could run into “hundreds of thousands of dollars per election, if not into the millions in a presidential election.”

The board’s vote followed questions and remarks from multiple commissioners about the frequency of voter fraud and the likely fiscal impact. Commissioner Kavanaugh said in his experience across many recounts voter fraud has been “extremely, extremely rare” and supported Cruz’s request. Commissioner Friend and others pressed for clarity on fiscal notes and whether the state would reimburse any new costs.

Public comment included objections to parts of the bill from a member of the public, Larry Storer of Omaha, who called for more time and additional presentations on election claims; the board did not act on that procedural request and proceeded to vote on the opposition motion.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Borgeson moved to adopt the opposition, Commissioner Kavanaugh seconded; the motion passed 7 to 0.

Why it matters: County election officials told the board that about half of Douglas County voters now use vote-by-mail and that the current options — online registration, early voting, and secure drop boxes — are widely used and, in their view, secure. Commissioners framed the vote as support for preserving voter access and avoiding unfunded state mandates that would shift costs to counties.

What the board directed: The board adopted the opposition and recorded that county election staff and allied county associations would testify against LB 541 at the legislative hearing scheduled in early March. Cruz said clerks and election commissioners across the state and the National Association of Counties (NACo) were already preparing testimony opposing the bill.

Votes at a glance: Motion to oppose LB 541 — mover: Commissioner Borgeson; second: Commissioner Kavanaugh; outcome: approved 7-0.

Sources and next steps: A hearing for LB 541 was scheduled in the Legislature; county election officials said they will participate in testimony and supply fiscal and operational details to legislators.","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 to adopt a formal opposition to Nebraska Legislative Bill LB 541 after Election Commissioner Brian Cruz warned the measure would roll back online registration, shorten early voting, and raise post-election audit requirements, imposing likely unfunded costs on counties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves consent agenda, two heritage proclamations and a Class C liquor manager; routine votes pass unanimously

Douglas County Sheriff's Office reports drop in many property crimes, rising fentanyl seizures and traffic‑safety gains

Douglas County Board unanimously opposes LB 541, citing voter access and cost concerns