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Douglas County commissioners approve legislative letter to federal representatives; consent agenda items pass
Summary
On March 12 the Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved a final legislative letter to the two U.S. senators and two U.S. representatives covering Douglas County and adopted its consent agenda (4 items) by voice vote. Public commenters addressed federal funding for Haskell, shelter operations and the wording of the letter.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on March 12 approved a final draft legislative letter and directed staff to send it to the four federal representatives that cover the county — two U.S. senators and two U.S. representatives — by a 5-0 voice vote.
The letter, discussed at length during the meeting, lists county priorities and asks federal representatives to consider county impacts when drafting or reducing federal programs and funding. Commissioner Reed, who moved to approve the letter, said the word “democratic” in the draft was meant to reference “relating to or supporting democracy or its principles,” not political party affiliation.
Public comment before the vote included resident John Hems, who urged the county to anticipate federal reductions and to consider whether federal responsibilities should shift to county budgets. Hems said, as he put it, that “Doge is gonna come for a lot of the items that are in the county,” and urged the commission to consider whether certain services should be funded locally if federal support is withdrawn. The transcript records Hems’ comments but does not clarify the reference he used.
Other public commenters included Eric Hyde, who urged county support for Haskell and proposed the concept of a county community college, and Sherilyn, who described shelter operations and expressed concern about an instance in cold weather when a shelter resident she described was asked to leave and walked miles in freezing conditions.
The board also approved its consent agenda by voice vote 5-0. The chair noted item 2.3 (East 902 Road) had been removed from the consent agenda prior to the vote. The consent items approved included an emergency vehicle permit for 2025 that had been described in staff remarks: the permit authorizes certain off-duty response in personal vehicles for named fire district chiefs under the district’s process; staff clarified those individuals are not county sheriff deputies but the Palmyra Fire District 2 fire chief and assistant chief.
Commissioners discussed the legislative letter wording briefly after public comment. Commissioner Reed moved to approve the final draft and direct staff to send it; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff confirmed the letter will be transmitted to the two U.S. senators and two U.S. representatives who represent Douglas County.
The board adjourned after miscellaneous items and community announcements.
