The joint public hearing for Douglas County, held on September 17, 2025, provided a platform for various political subdivisions to present their proposed budgets and tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year. The meeting, led by Douglas County Clerk Dan Etch, began with a pledge of allegiance and was streamed live for public access.

The agenda outlined that representatives from each subdivision would present their budget proposals, followed by a public comment period. Attendees were informed that while public comments were welcome, there would be no discussion or voting during the hearing. The purpose was strictly to gather feedback on the proposed budgets and tax rates, with final decisions to be made by September 30.

The first presentation came from Laurie Persch, Chief Finance Officer for Douglas County, who detailed the county's budget for fiscal year 2024-2025. She explained that property taxes account for nearly 50% of the county's revenue, which supports essential services such as law enforcement and public safety. The proposed tax rate for Douglas County would remain unchanged at 29.059 cents per $100 of assessed value, despite a 6.33% increase in assessed property values.

Next, Steve Curtis, Finance Director for the City of Omaha, presented the city's budget, highlighting a proposed property tax request of $245.6 million and a tax rate increase to 43.9 cents. Curtis noted that the budget would increase by 6.92%, primarily due to significant raises for police and the opening of a new library.

Jack Choloha, City Administrator for Ralston, followed with a presentation on Ralston's budget, which would maintain the current tax levy of 66.7 cents. He explained that despite the stable levy, the city expects to generate more revenue due to new growth, allowing for an 11.97% increase in property tax revenue.

Aaron Plaza, Superintendent of Bennington Public Schools, discussed the school district's budget, which includes a property tax request of $42 million. He noted a stable tax rate of $1.35.8 per $100 of assessed valuation, despite a significant budget increase driven by rapid student growth.

Finally, Shane Ryan, Chief Financial Officer for Omaha Public Schools, presented the district's budget, which includes a property tax request of $409.2 million. He indicated a modest increase in the tax rate to $1.13, primarily to support staff compensation and operational costs.

The hearing concluded with a reminder that public comments would be taken, allowing residents to voice their opinions on the proposed budgets and tax rates. The meeting underscored the importance of community engagement in local government financial planning, as each subdivision prepares to finalize their budgets by the end of the month.