Douglas County approves $42.9 million budget supplemental to reappropriate prior-year purchase orders

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners on March 24 approved a budget supplemental reappropriating $42,923,905 in restricted, committed and assigned fund balances to cover prior-year purchase orders that were encumbered but not fulfilled. Budget analyst Ryan Bolger told the board the supplemental is a routine reconciliation to carry forward purchase orders that remain open and that departmental explanations and fund summaries were included in the board packet.

"The amount of request for your consideration today is $42,923,905," Bolger said during the presentation. He explained the budget team works with departments to close purchase orders older than one year where appropriate but that some project POs remain open across fiscal years and require reappropriation.

With approval of the supplemental, Bolger said the amended 2026 Douglas County budget would total $693,698,372. Commissioners discussed the prior adoption of a zero-debt budget in December and characterized the supplemental as a routine true-up to align the adopted budget with outstanding encumbrances.

No members of the public spoke on the supplemental and the board approved the resolution by voice vote with assents recorded as "I. I. I." The action was recorded during the March 24 meeting, and staff noted details of the open purchase orders and departmental notes are available in the board packet.