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Board approves 9‑1‑1 surcharge increase, updates public‑works fees and two position reclassifications; votes at a glance
Summary
At its April 17 meeting the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners approved several administrative items by unanimous votes: an ordinance to raise the monthly 9‑1‑1 surcharge, a consolidated Public Works fees resolution, and reclassification of two Community Development positions. These were routine but policy‑relevant actions that update
Douglas County commissioners approved a set of administrative and personnel items at the April 17 meeting. Each of these items passed unanimously (5–0) and will affect county operations and fees.
9‑1‑1 surcharge ordinance (Ordinance 2025‑1653) Deputy District Attorney Zach Wadley presented an ordinance amending Title 3, Chapter 3.5 of the Douglas County Code to increase the monthly surcharge that funds 9‑1‑1 emergency services. The change raises the monthly surcharge from $0.75 to $1.00 per access or mobile line and increases the trunk line surcharge from $7.50 to $10.00; it also reduces the maximum uncommitted balance in the surcharge special revenue fund from $1,000,000 to $500,000. Wadley said the ordinance is expected to raise roughly $170,000 next fiscal year to be used solely for 9‑1‑1 services. After a brief public comment period the board adopted the ordinance on second reading, 5–0.
Public Works fees and charges (Resolution 2025 R‑027) Public Works Director Phil Richter presented a consolidated resolution to combine and update existing resolutions that set miscellaneous administrative fees, fines and charges for Public Works utilities and services. The changes update water meter installation charges to reflect cost‑of‑service, add an annual fee for wastewater pretreatment class‑1 renewals, and increase fines for water meter tampering and unauthorized hydrant use. Richter explained the water leak penalty is intended as a last‑resort enforcement tool; staff said they rarely impose it. The resolution was adopted 5–0.
Community Development position reclassifications (Items 10.3 & 10.4) Community Development Director Tom Dallaire and Andrea Pauling presented two reclassification requests. The Vacation Home Rental Program Manager classification will be reclassified to a Program Manager (pay grade 205) to provide broader program management capacity. The Economic Vitality Manager position will be reclassified from pay grade 203 to 204 and moved from the County Manager’s Office to Community Development to improve customer service and coordination with permitting and counter staff. The board approved both reclassifications, with staff noting no immediate headcount or budget increase is required; human resources will perform pay equity analysis as a follow up. The motions passed 5–0.
Ending: The unanimous votes put the county’s emergency‑communications funding increase, updated public works fee schedule, and internal organizational changes into effect and authorize staff to implement the administrative updates described in the resolutions and ordinance.
