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Douglas County sets intent to exceed revenue neutral rate, schedules hearings; caps CFD‑1 ceiling at 6 mills
Summary
Douglas County commissioners voted July 16 to notify the county clerk of the board’s intent to levy above the revenue neutral rate for the 2026 budget at 40.669 mills and scheduled the revenue neutral hearing and budget hearing for Aug. 27; commissioners also authorized a potential ceiling of 6.0 mills for Consolidated Fire District No. 1.
Douglas County commissioners voted July 16 to notify the county clerk of the board’s intent to levy above the county’s revenue neutral rate for the 2026 budget and set the formal hearings for August 27. The board also authorized staff to notify the clerk of a potential cap of up to 6.0 mills for Consolidated Fire District No. 1 (CFD‑1) and set the same hearing date.
Budget staff explained the statutory timeline for adopting the 2026 budget and the requirement to notify the clerk when the proposed budget would exceed the county’s revenue neutral rate. County staff reported the 2026 revenue neutral rate established by the clerk is 39.958 mills; after deliberations the commission settled on a proposed levy of 40.669 mills for the county’s 2026 budget. Staff explained that final assessed values certified in November may shift mill levies up or down; the notice being filed reflects the commission’s current chosen rate and sets hearings where the public may comment.
Brooke (budget staff) and County Administrator Sarah explained procedural details: the county must certify the adopted budget by Oct. 1 and submit it to the state by Dec. 31. Brooke clarified that assessed values used to set preliminary levies can change after appeals or state adjustments; staff uses present‑day estimates which are finalized in November.
On CFD‑1, commissioners discussed the consultant report on Consolidated Fire District No. 1 needs and acknowledged the district’s service area has a much smaller assessed‑value base (the value of one mill in CFD‑1 is smaller than county‑wide). Commissioners asked staff to prepare a more detailed multiyear plan for CFD‑1 and authorized a procedural cap at 6.0 mills to give the district room to pursue suggested enhancements; board members emphasized that authorizing a cap does not commit the commission to spend at that level and that final action will come after the public hearing and additional deliberation.
The motions to notify the county clerk (40.669 mills for county budget) and to notify for CFD‑1 (cap at 6.0 mills) were seconded and passed 5–0. Staff will submit the clerk’s prescribed online notice and return to the August 27 meeting for the revenue neutral rate hearing immediately followed by the budget hearing.
