Douglas County Board tentatively approves FY26 budget of $340.95 million after public hearing

The Douglas County Board of Education tentatively approved the district’s fiscal year 2026 budget after a May 5 public hearing, adopting a $340,949,443.45 plan that the district projects will begin and end the year with $57,000,000 in fund balance and set aside 5.8% of that balance for capital outlay.

The tentative adoption came after a presentation from Holly Tims, chief financial officer for the Douglas County School System. "Our total estimated revenues and expenditures for FY 26 are $340,949,443.45, giving us a balanced budget for FY '26," Tims said. She then reported the district is projecting a $57,000,000 beginning fund balance and a projected $57,000,000 ending balance with 5.8% of that balance in reserve for capital outlay.

Superintendent Dr. Trent North told the board the budget development process began in October and moved through work sessions and public review before the hearing. He noted the district’s revenue estimate matched state allocations closely: "This is probably 8 years — the first year we've approximated to within $46,000 of what we were going to receive from the state," North said.

The board opened the public hearing; no members of the public came forward to speak, and the hearing was closed before the board voted. A motion to tentatively approve the FY26 budget was moved and seconded, the vote was opened electronically, and the board recorded the budget as tentatively approved. The district said the advertised, tentative budget will return for final adoption at a future meeting if conditions remain unchanged.

Why it matters: the tentative budget sets spending and revenue expectations for the coming year and reserves a portion of funds for capital projects, including facilities and equipment. Final adoption will establish legally binding spending authority for FY26.