Consolidated Fire District No. 1 approves 2026 budget; commission authorizes half-mill increase to support Station 151 staffing

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 27 approved a levy exceeding the revenue-neutral rate for Consolidated Fire District No. 1 and adopted the districts 2026 budget.

Finance staff described the district area as containing about 5,500 parcels and roughly 13,000 residents. Staff told commissioners the prepared budget had been calculated from an assumed levy of 6 mills to provide approximately $1.9 million in tax support for district operations; the commission earlier had discussed a 5.5-mill levy and chose to add a half mill to fund additional operations.

Brooke Sauer, finance manager, told the commission the half-mill increase would support two additional full-time equivalents at Station 151 in Lecompton and provide improved shift coverage for that western area of the district. "The addition of the mill levy would support 2 additional FTEs at that fire station and provide better coverage, during those shifts, at that station in Lacombeton," Sauer said.

Commission discussion emphasized both staffing needs and volunteer recruitment. Commissioner Willie, who spoke in favor of adopting the district budget, said the staffing addition "is not only a needed protection for the city itself of Lecompton, but the whole western half of that district," and urged increased volunteer recruitment to sustain service delivery.

Actions and votes Commissioner Reid moved to adopt the resolution to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue-neutral rate for the 2026 budget of Consolidated Fire District No. 1 (Res. No. 25-302). The roll-call vote was unanimous: Kelly Yes; Reid Yes; Willie Yes; Dorsey Yes; Anderson Yes (5-0). The commission then adopted the consolidated districts 2026 budget by voice vote, 5-0.

Key numbers and notes - Parcels in district: ~5,500 - Estimated residents in district: ~13,000 - Proposed levy used for budgeting: 6 mills (staffs prepared budget figure) - Expected tax support: ~$1,900,000 - Staffing: half-mill increase intended to support two additional FTEs at Station 151

Process notes Staff asked commissioners to consider the district budget and levy in the same format as the county-level hearings; the commission closed the public hearings after no additional public commenters were online and voted to adopt the district resolution and budget. Commissioners noted the districts mix of paid and volunteer staffing and encouraged local efforts to recruit volunteers alongside the funded paid positions.

The district budget and levy resolution will be reflected in levy certification materials submitted later this fall when final assessed values are available.