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Douglas County board approves 29.000 mill levy after brief debate; 6-1 vote
Summary
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners set the countys final mill levy at 29.000 mills and the library levy at 2.524 cents, passing a revised resolution 6-1. Commissioner Kavanaugh cast the lone dissenting vote.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 on Sept. 30 to adopt a revised resolution setting the countys final mill levy at 29.000 mills and the Douglas County Library Fund levy at 2.524¢.
Laurie Persch, chief finance officer for Douglas County, told the board it set a budget in July that held the levy flat but that a difference between revenue and the adopted budget required drawing on reserves. Persch said the county could not set a final levy until certified assessed values were received from the assessor and after a joint public hearing. "We had to dig into the reserves, for a few million," Persch said.
Commissioner Cavanaugh moved to reduce the county mill levy by 0.059 mills (from 29.059 to 29.000), saying rising property valuations and departmental lapse funds made a small reduction feasible. "The valuation of property in Douglas County went up 7%... and if you leave the mill levy where it's at at 29.059, everybody gets a property tax increase," Cavanaugh said, arguing a modest cut would provide relief.
Commissioner Friend countered that the change would be largely symbolic and urged structural changes at the state level to affect property-tax burdens. "If you really want to get your hands around property tax, that's what you do. You don't come in... this particular piece of the pie does not impact it," Friend said.
After closing the public hearing, the board voted to approve the resolution as revised. The motion to adopt the final levy at 29.000 mills passed 6-1, with Commissioner Kavanaugh recorded as the lone no vote; all other commissioners voted yes.
The adopted levy follows the county's previously adopted budget and reflects certified assessed values required under state procedures. The board did not detail additional departmental cuts tied to the reduction; commissioners said finance committee hearings are underway to review department budgets.
The board's vote concludes the annual process of setting a final levy after certified valuations and a public hearing. The resolution also sets the Douglas County Library Fund levy at 2.524¢.
