Douglas County approves Blackjack Battlefield advisory board charter as joint effort with Baldwin City

Douglas County commissioners on Jan. 7 approved a charter to form a Blackjack Battlefield advisory board to guide short-term stabilization and longer-term visioning for Blackjack Battlefield Nature Park, a parcel the county now co-owns with Baldwin City.

Caitlin Ammerlin, the county’s heritage conservation coordinator, said the joint ownership transfer with Baldwin City was finalized before Thanksgiving and that the advisory board will be a short-term, jointly appointed body: three appointees from Baldwin City, three from Douglas County, plus one ex‑officio member (expected to be the executive director of the Douglas County Historical Society). ‘‘The advisory board as proposed will be dissolved once their final report that will be shared with both governing bodies is finalized,’’ Ammerlin said, and staff anticipate some recommendations could propose establishing a permanent advisory body.

Ammerlin said initial priorities will emphasize stabilizing the property and an outreach plan; Baldwin City will handle day-to-day maintenance while Douglas County provides administrative support for the advisory board. Commissioners discussed candidate vetting and expressed interest in participating in recruitment; the board authorized staff to solicit applications for county appointments. Commissioners expect the advisory board to begin work in the spring and to provide initial recommendations within about a year, with interim suggestions timed to the 2027 budget cycle.

The commission approved the charter and directed staff to begin soliciting applications for the county’s appointments; the vote was unanimous (5–0).