[{"_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",6658793,"mediaKeyId","3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a","parentId",3639862,"title","Commissioners approve $80,000 transfer toward river‑class boat after debate on budget practices","audioSeconds",993,"startMs",1980000,"endMs",2973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a&start=1980&end=2973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a/thumbnail_1980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658793/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Commissioners-approve-80000-transfer-toward-riverclass-boat-after-debate-on-budget-practices","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658793-5729cd208e4787771a93581d00fce234/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450584&Signature=MH4dUwM1p0-da-eK8XNUivrcsDuVDUePFbRlNDL1QU5Ev1vh8b8jOo4ynRbmOIY8DFBRBzlJe6tMJzpHXLxlCduPlf3dNsjv4Nlc-rhMoR7uBg5JUdkuERso5~IDs4Joe0FjkuVcnzvc4eO5A4H2sY7opkCVwofSb4zg0MuchycFlx4HzdYNpgH5uMSNaWXlB5~SF~bHzjg1ApkjIItOC5-~nAZBIvbit~7CLoijWtxKBNHL5XkxCtevgaiUuG85Z8GDoAHsX8dJcnSi1I6lC6BhcQ-j7N3YZerxS8d-jA4CZeAyOiP1ilVnGz7uPmJh7JZYbPGVTeQsZ6rz-UKoxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County, NE","date","2025-06-03T18:07:29Z","article","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on June 3 approved a one‑time permanent budget transfer from the County Attorney’s Office to the Sheriff's Office to help fund a new river‑class boat, voting 4‑2 after extended questioning about budget procedures and department surpluses.

Chief Randellis of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office told the board the department’s older river‑class boat was decertified after years of service and had developed a “rotten hole.” He said the department has been planning a capital purchase and had identified Inventech Boats as a vendor able to deliver a replacement by spring if the county could secure early payment, and that the vessel's purchase price on the proposed payment plan would be $390,000.

Commissioners asked about the funding mix. Chief Randellis said the sheriff's office experienced a small surplus this year—roughly “between $250,000 and $300,000”—partly because some anticipated retiree payouts did not occur. The county attorney’s office offered $80,000 toward the purchase; other potential partners, including the Papio NRD, had discussed contributions though no firm amounts were yet finalized. Laurie Persch, the county finance director, confirmed the county attorney’s office was not one of the departments coming in over target this year.

Several commissioners expressed concern about the practice of using year‑end surpluses and interdepartmental transfers to fund large capital items rather than building them into the regular budget process. Commissioner Rogers said he intended to vote against the transfer because “I don’t like the way the budget process goes” when departments move money after the fact; other commissioners voiced similar concerns but supported the purchase as necessary for safety and recovery operations on county waterways.

Captain Christopher Peterson, commander of the nautical services unit, said the sheriff’s office is the only county law enforcement agency in Douglas County with a full boat recovery and nautical services unit, which patrols lakes and rivers, conducts safety education and performs search and recovery operations. The motion to approve the $80,000 transfer passed 4‑2.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Douglas County Nebraska meeting June 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After debate over departmental surpluses and budget supplements, the board approved a one‑time $80,000 transfer to the sheriff’s office to buy a new river‑class boat; motion passed 4‑2 amid objections about budget transparency.","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},6658798,"Commissioners lay over $130,622 sheriff grant after public concern over special operations group",2124,3000000,5124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a&start=3000&end=5124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a/thumbnail_3000000.jpg","/articles/6658798/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Commissioners-lay-over-130622-sheriff-grant-after-public-concern-over-special-operations-group","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658798-28dee846bbe26911a575a5e935b1413d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450584&Signature=Bo3onwSSNRTzFhq1eSH4gU8Phn1G1aMY57zJjCHUZ~R43tRImappDlh1AZHSJHEh22f8k5BclWkzJDd1yFjsIPAGIwV7oQk2SukbhZP78EYCjhzdIxy~awiGGcyhCs8SuPyb1r18p5ZtFt~Man~P8ZN8vKDnOzqaKbb1TLDcOGRaX0z7WFAl0h5iS7DczS8Wo2wuF6AFAJ0pfTlIwcYkcSdT-inoIb1MmmUlSIwbgjWNLXKRDdD7bFWbqGdksshsaNgWxRc6MRUv7js866ljk4i7Y2p2daPgJMjFa58bvcdJM9BdqqPA8lpbNN-XkoDedd762tL-2POZtS-WSewsTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on June 3 voted to lay over consideration of a $130,622 grant from the Nebraska Crime Commission intended to fund one deputy position in the sheriff’s Special Operations Group.

Chief Randellis of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office described the request as a state‑funded, one‑year position that would pay “a year’s salary and benefits, for that deputy.” He said the Special Operations Group handles a mix of tasks including narcotics investigations, fugitive apprehension, gang liaison and river operations, and that the funded position would be assigned to that unit.

Commissioners pressed the department on operational boundaries, coordination with the Omaha Police Department and how the unit deploys in city versus unincorporated areas. Captain Christopher Peterson, commander of the nautical services unit, described the unit’s countywide duties including patrol, education, accident investigation and recovery operations on the Missouri River.

The item drew sustained public comment. Lavonne Stanis Williams called the unit a “jump out” squad and urged the board to reject the item, arguing such units have disproportionately harmed Black and Latino communities and citing national cases. Tamika Meese of North Omaha Community Partnership asked the board to delay action until the family of a recent shooting involving the Special Operations Group could review body‑worn camera footage and the county completed its review. Sherman Wells expressed concern that the county’s approach treats social problems as enforcement issues rather than addressing root causes.

Following public testimony and commissioner questions, a commissioner moved to lay the grant over to the June 24 meeting to give the county attorney’s investigation and other reviews time to proceed and to clarify Omaha Police Department coordination. The motion to lay the item over was seconded and passed; one commissioner voted no. Chief Randellis said the sheriff’s office would be given an opportunity to provide additional clarifications at the later date.","The board voted to delay action on a Nebraska Crime Commission grant that would fund a sheriff's special operations deputy, following public testimony and questions about the unit’s role and oversight. The item was laid over to June 24.",{"_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},6658802,"Douglas County approves $1,000‑per‑youth contract for new juvenile diversion provider",383,1397000,1780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a&start=1397&end=1780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a/thumbnail_1397000.jpg","/articles/6658802/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-approves-1000peryouth-contract-for-new-juvenile-diversion-provider","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658802-094666d98a79885fa9dcfd9b255679fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450584&Signature=fracuGfGBp7cfDMgl~rApW1-8s64hjZrG4WP9KDM9ejjmNhYRhvtI-fz6mja-1R5AMDCMCMNfLziSlR7Lwd2-6JQxeNuoqvhGCvrJPrqsg3IZO9m9nzi2k9TarCqZSkiJNAq3Xsi~Jm9gwnl3Xgs~IN1iYWB8m3mmeGNmaT9LwTv~dIO8oa~M0GQWGjBz-RuPvU~~cF0CkD04r2-95gBqsh8F~45tQejIKtq1DuUDk7l~4MUHxoASvhca9WaUkz46ks2o7ndECyHiHcCysuqj-wEmjFRKhst2~kTawwW2~I4zEUhkahQ7tSPDrwG7PmLcgo2Fz0vQEkR9t9Yf2PU9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on June 3 approved a contract putting a framework in place for the Juvenile Assessment Center to refer youth to a community provider that offers mentoring, curriculum and job‑readiness services.

Miss Johnson, representing the Juvenile Assessment Center, told commissioners the contract with Heart of a Champion, doing business as 1 Heart Project, establishes a per‑participant payment rate rather than a guaranteed referral volume. “There is an amount. There’s an established amount that we would pay per youth, which is a thousand dollars,” she said.

Commissioners asked for clarity on program scope, duration and budget. County officials said the county has not budgeted a guaranteed referral volume and has made no commitment to send a set number of youths. Marcos San Martin of County Administration confirmed the contract term runs from the effective date through Aug. 30, 2025, with a potential extension through Dec. 30, 2025, and additional renewal only by written agreement. Commissioner Morgan asked that staff return in December with usage data and a program report if the county continues the contract; Miss Johnson responded, “I’d be glad to do that.”

The contract was placed on the consent agenda and approved as part of the board’s consent vote. County staff said the Juvenile Assessment Center will make referrals if and when appropriate; the contract sets the payment terms for each youth served at $1,000 and is intended to give the center an option to place youths with a community provider that has operated curricula within youth correction facilities.","The Board of Commissioners approved a contract allowing the Juvenile Assessment Center to refer youth to a community provider, paying $1,000 per youth. The contract has a short initial term and a December review was requested by commissioners.",{"_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},6658807,"Douglas County clarifies protest process after rise in non-owner filings",1090,203000,1293000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a&start=203&end=1293","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639862-9d9902a4cef1d6845916cc666b73e47a/thumbnail_203000.jpg","/articles/6658807/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-clarifies-protest-process-after-rise-in-non-owner-filings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658807-881e768f180f37f34b15bae84d5e863b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770450584&Signature=Hq91R85gbkEXo84L-JBYumPX7ZxFINZOCsw2UEPD~Q3EVwtNNDT300UPHZtTU7Kk65yXtR2Y3uc2Plle3JNHLrIvNUIzeOUEBVm3perJhl5X8Mp42ULDJa1xTkWphK1IHqTUZshT9Eo1Qh2Nx8~nfexI2Qsddh-DMH6n5S3ivQKuHqqh2k0fCv03P-LWVwe2Em9VfbVmYGI1O7nglD~JolZUNnGJv0T1q0xhPb5HiVJaRpVkr2fTGo-TsaJu6qYdNsXsYmrltlUCZSJM0PWe9gjNZh~CCs7LIv9e206ImxA5u6cLIZVXKELh509dUm-~EnTe1JhI1aoiNCPbFB-mQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of Equalization on June 3 approved clarifying changes to its real property valuation protest procedures after staff reported a rise in protests filed by people who are neither the property owner nor an authorized agent.

The changes, approved as part of a block vote of Board of Equalization resolutions, define how appointments for hearings are handled when a protest is submitted online by an unaffiliated third party. Catherine Hall, Douglas County administration, said the edits “clarify what that process looks like if someone is not authorized nor the property owner so they have a better expectation of how the process goes when they request an appointment.”

The issue was raised on the record by Commissioner Cavanaugh, who said he had learned non‑owners had been submitting protests and asked staff to explain the change so property owners would be aware. Dan Asch, Douglas County Clerk, told the board that while owners and authorized agents who file a single residential protest can normally schedule their own online appointment, “for unauthorized non‑owners, we want to have a little more say ... so we make sure we’re aware” and can reach out to schedule the appointment.

Teresa from the County Attorney’s Office confirmed the change aligns with state law, pointing to Nebraska statute 77‑1502, noting the statute “contemplates a non owner filing because it has that notification provision in there saying that the owner should be notified.” County Assessor Mike Goodwillie told commissioners the activity is a recent phenomenon and that his office has not experienced widespread contact from third parties about individual property values.

Under the clarified procedures, protests filed online for one residential property by an owner or authorized agent retain the standard online scheduling path; protests filed by unauthorized non‑owners, multiple properties, or nonresidential properties follow a different appointment scheduling flow so staff can verify and coordinate notifications. Catherine Hall described the changes as procedural rather than substantive: “this is more just a clarification of procedure. We’re sort of trying to spell out more specifically what the expectations would be.”

The Board of Equalization approved the block of resolutions, including the amendment, by voice vote 6‑0.","The Douglas County Board of Equalization approved procedural amendments to clarify how protests of property valuations filed by non-owners or unauthorized agents are handled after a recent increase in such filings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners approve $80,000 transfer toward river‑class boat after debate on budget practices

Commissioners lay over $130,622 sheriff grant after public concern over special operations group

Douglas County approves $1,000‑per‑youth contract for new juvenile diversion provider

Douglas County clarifies protest process after rise in non-owner filings