[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6586457,"mediaKeyId","5499844-e3d28c82a78eafc0540adf7f3748345f","parentId",5499844,"title","Douglas County adopts FY2025‑26 budget after debate over over‑target requests; vote 5‑1","audioSeconds",860,"startMs",4117000,"endMs",4977000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499844-e3d28c82a78eafc0540adf7f3748345f&start=4117&end=4977","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499844-e3d28c82a78eafc0540adf7f3748345f/thumbnail_4117000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6586457/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-adopts-FY202526-budget-after-debate-over-overtarget-requests-vote-51","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586457-3fb4954ac9fa39e278a8ffeb65e8c7be/orig.mp4?Expires=1770790123&Signature=d6H9MzXctsiy6MbBGFIOrE-hV5wzp-0mU9hs8My~m~swAD0e5KHGeOhx1ee~p~8HL2DHMY8G--JNqUscSh2pnHrkAL3-2I6zhJyrRkQihY5hvsKC2mvpogRXOTzHu3nRGV5ndnLhAR0pwmNP9GTlEXuxbvqeXYhpbUwAoouj7qvuJCUeytBCv3FEi0HOSA49tc1hkp6qevEVcZEeX3qR7A~UsYpVHxs5JNqgXDH95Pmskk2SF4sWIkuPePAo8Zij1FUTXzqEahhGK8K7S2LfaCNeVXjTc7HugDCqsSI-YUF2wQazTOVZJlacmu5iGeTYPaSXAgxXQKVHPKfcTcf3cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Douglas County, NE","date","2025-07-29T20:06:52Z","article","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners held a required public hearing July 29 and then adopted the fiscal year 2025‑26 county budget following debate over department over‑target requests and public review procedures.

Laurie Persch, the county budget and finance director, presented the proposed budget and supporting figures. Persch said the proposed total budget is $636,568,016 (or $584,372,850 excluding remaining ARPA funds). The proposal assumes no change to the current property‑tax levy and a projected 5.8% increase in assessed property values, net of anticipated Board of Equalization protests. Persch told commissioners that lower expected interest income (anticipated federal rate cuts) reduced general‑fund revenues and contributed to a small revenue shortfall before accounting for departments’ requests above target.

Persch summarized recommended adjustments from the finance committee after departments that exceeded internal targets presented justification earlier in May and June. She said the total over‑target requests amounted to roughly $7.2 million; the finance committee recommended granting about $2.0 million of those requests and that the remaining shortfall for the year would be covered by using approximately $3.2 million from general‑fund reserves to balance the budget.

Persch identified some recommended over‑target allocations by department: the sheriff’s office originally requested $730,000 and the finance committee recommended $252,152; the public defender requested about $255,000 and was recommended for $160,000; corrections requested $2.2 million and received $714,000 in the recommendation; emergency management requested $403,000 and was recommended for $135,000; district court requested funding tied to two new judges and capital costs and was recommended $541,000; community general assistance requested $288,000 (direct assistance) and was recommended $100,000.

Commissioner Kavanaugh moved to delay final action on the budget for three weeks to allow additional public review and more time for commissioners to ask departments questions; the motion failed for lack of a second. Kavanaugh spoke at length about public notice and the time available to review the materials, saying the public and some commissioners had limited time to review the documents provided to the board.

Several members of the public and representatives of organizations spoke during the hearing. Tamika Meese, executive director of North Omaha Community Partnership, urged that funds allocated for sheriff’s‑office community‑engagement positions be used for the community programs described and requested accountability to prevent reallocation. Doug Kagan of Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom criticized the timing of published backup materials and urged additional scrutiny of discretionary spending. Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hansen described rising operational demands and said the sheriff’s office would face challenges meeting statutory obligations and court demands with limited increases.

After discussion, Commissioner Rogers moved to adopt the budget; Commissioner Morgan seconded. The board adopted the FY2025‑26 budget by a 5–1 roll‑call vote: Commissioners Borgeson, Kavanaugh, Friend, Morgan and Rogers voted yes; Commissioner Cavanaugh voted no. Following the vote the board recessed and reconvened and then adjourned; the adjournment motion passed 6–0.

The finance director’s presentation and the meeting record show the board is relying on the finance committee’s recommendations and the use of reserves to balance the coming year. Commissioners said they will consider process changes for future budget cycles, including the possibility of a budget retreat or additional public engagement, and OPPD and other partners will follow up on technical questions raised during the meeting.

Action: the board formally adopted the fiscal‑year 2025‑26 county budget as presented; the record shows the board plans follow‑up on process improvements and technical questions raised during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Douglas County Nebraska meeting July 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a public hearing and extended debate about department over‑target requests and the timing of public review, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved a proposed FY2025‑26 budget July 29. The board voted 5–1 to adopt the budget; Commissioner Cavanaugh voted no.","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},6586462,"OPPD updates Douglas County on new plants, transmission projects and smart‑meter rollout",438,1155000,1593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499844-e3d28c82a78eafc0540adf7f3748345f&start=1155&end=1593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499844-e3d28c82a78eafc0540adf7f3748345f/thumbnail_1155000.jpg","/articles/6586462/Douglas-County/Nebraska/OPPD-updates-Douglas-County-on-new-plants-transmission-projects-and-smartmeter-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586462-5da7b2fd599ed02adb76617df730cd6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770790123&Signature=blah-dlUGVk7NkJzZiLzpGOwOKIWcptLRSHx3PuCmDVhhbvbG85KzgwuxusPkqj7pllbJ~ssgOHluBH~Wa3Vxd7ZNnmlKUQ~cD75Dn90SiGpqgOJJh0K29zkjdAuuLKSc2fr6USwsqy52f583bCSEQVlPq9Mll2jcE~Su1iQEWuumRkbWq3Amlv8WdWwSLdv1klGMnKByZPbNBnj60gfpwW67RfZY2jQeh30VDmbgtdHMzicS4K3CYTBzk3JtRY0eD9nK9SvCsBQcEl1KbhvnrDFRKFGQ0BO8JHLL9EAmX3SeuIF4kMAMYl8iSgIfk8zJtZo5OnMmVW16IZG~JcPrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Omaha Public Power District told the Douglas County Board of Commissioners on July 29 that OPPD is adding dispatchable and renewable generation and will begin a multi‑year smart‑meter replacement program in the region.

Chris Meeks, government and community relations strategist for OPPD, said the utility recently placed Turtle Creek Station into service; the facility includes two combustion turbines that together generate about 450 megawatts and are designed as ‘‘peaking’’ units that can reach full output quickly. Meeks also described progress at Standing Bear Lake Station and construction at Cass County Station and said OPPD has added the Platte View Solar Array to its portfolio.

‘‘Turtle Creek Station’s two combustion turbines generate 450 megawatts of energy,’' Meeks said. ‘‘This is the first combustion turbine of this size that has come online in the Southwest Power Pool since 2017.’'

OPPD also described an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) initiative to replace aging residential meters with two‑way ‘‘smart’’ meters. The utility plans a soft launch this fall covering approximately 10,000 meters (including some in Douglas County) followed by a multi‑year rollout. Meeks said residential meters in soft‑launch areas will transmit basic usage data every four hours and send an automated ‘‘last breath’’ outage signal to OPPD, allowing the utility to detect outages without customer calls.

OPPD said residential installations will typically take about 10–15 minutes and contractors will be identified on site; Allegiant will perform most residential installs while OPPD will handle commercial meters. OPPD staff said customers in soft‑launch areas will receive notices at 90, 60 and 30 days before install, and mailers when emails are not available.

Commissioners asked about rural connectivity and the county broadband ‘‘bead’’ project. Commissioner Borgeson raised concerns that a lower grade of fiber in some rural areas could affect smart‑meter performance; OPPD officials said meters can use cellular networks and the meter communications vendor can select the cellular network with the best signal in a location, but OPPD staff said they would follow up with the meter team to confirm coverage in specific areas.

Commissioners also asked whether OPPD can place lines underground in new subdivisions; OPPD said buried lines are used frequently in newer developments but are costly and that retrofitting existing overhead lines to underground is more expensive and disruptive.

Several commissioners credited OPPD for pandemic utility‑relief cooperation and noted the utility’s ongoing efforts to add renewables. OPPD officials said the utility board has set a net‑zero carbon emission goal by 2050 and that the company is adding renewables, dispatchable gas generation and purchase power agreements as part of a diverse portfolio.

OPPD staff offered to be a point of contact for county projects and to provide follow‑up on technical questions about AMI rollouts and rural connectivity.","Omaha Public Power District told the Douglas County Board of Commissioners about new generation and transmission projects, including Turtle Creek Station (450 MW) and a phased smart‑meter rollout that begins with a 10,000‑meter soft launch in the fall; county commissioners asked about rural connectivity and underground lines.",{"_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},6586467,"Douglas County board adopts resolution honoring former treasurer John Ewing Jr.",163,161000,324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499844-e3d28c82a78eafc0540adf7f3748345f&start=161&end=324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499844-e3d28c82a78eafc0540adf7f3748345f/thumbnail_161000.jpg","/articles/6586467/Douglas-County/Nebraska/Douglas-County-board-adopts-resolution-honoring-former-treasurer-John-Ewing-Jr","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6586467-d6ba03dae8be2294db144b1191a6516b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770790123&Signature=SKw-8OhPg2UtBRrtPyF-1EZMovqlECezuPVkN9dejLLHYF2Z3IMVlgswaGEkb9KkXseTQAPNQdpYl4EcpG5Mb1RIMxGErGzidG1mjFrM2oc8LqTeOPiCUqlCVBekE294nlAFBN-~7W6eCYAaeOiRYHcbBnJGauQF3~2e~QLKDwpPShyO-zuV3bjuRbZPQQkJ423INVx7xPL9MeOJPQRQvnZGbsaNSYwuSfJD7RFpIB9PAK-5Nr41tndcdq6jdTPq1UujpEWftOJIu7sgLKEsvhqFJmlAZ9w2LcXaHhg2Z2fgbfUIWpcOiU2L1-Tuqu~bp-JyIEbB0kluooy1HSmJCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution July 29 recognizing John Ewing Jr. for 18 years of service as Douglas County treasurer and ‘‘a lifetime of public leadership and community impact.’'

The resolution, introduced on the commissioners’ agenda and moved by Commissioner Borgeson with a second from Commissioner Morgan, lists actions taken under Ewing’s tenure including implementing online tax payments and vehicle registration, technology upgrades, and language that the resolution says ‘‘resulted in over $90,000,000 in annual revenue through strategic investments, bank management, and commissions.’' The board read the resolution aloud before voting.

The resolution text also recounts Ewing’s nearly 25 years in law enforcement, including service as a deputy police chief, and notes community service on ‘‘more than 70 boards and committees, including Habitat for Humanity and Charles Drew Health Center.’' It records that Ewing made history on June 9, 2025, as Omaha’s first elected Black mayor.

Mayor John Ewing Jr., the subject of the resolution, addressed the commissioners after they read the text. ‘‘I just wanted to come this morning and say thank you to all of you for the great partnership we had for 18 years. I love being a public servant, and I love working with people who put the people of this city and this county first,’' he said.

The resolution carried in roll call with a unanimous recorded approval among commissioners present; the transcript records the motion and second and subsequent recording of the vote while Commissioner Fahey was absent.

The county briefly paused for photographs after the vote; Viv Ewing, introduced as first lady of Omaha, offered brief remarks of thanks.

Action on the resolution is recorded as a formal county resolution; the board signed the document as part of the minutes for the July 29 meeting.

Notes: the resolution text is incorporated into the meeting record as read aloud during the commissioners’ recognition item. The board recessed afterward to take up the Board of Equalization agenda.","The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on July 29 adopted a resolution recognizing John Ewing Jr. for 18 years as county treasurer and his broader public service; the board approved the resolution by recorded roll call while one commissioner was absent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Douglas County adopts FY2025‑26 budget after debate over over‑target requests; vote 5‑1

OPPD updates Douglas County on new plants, transmission projects and smart‑meter rollout

Douglas County board adopts resolution honoring former treasurer John Ewing Jr.