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Douglas County staff previews 2027 budget, flags slower valuation growth and priorities
Summary
Staff presented a 2027 budget preview to the Douglas County commission emphasizing sustaining services, workforce investments, behavioral health priorities, and infrastructure readiness while forecasting a slower 4% assessed-value growth for tax year 2026.
Douglas County staff gave commissioners a preliminary preview of the 2027 budget at the May 6 meeting, outlining priorities and several revenue trends that will shape the coming process.
Staff identified four principal priorities for 2027: maintaining existing services amid rising operational costs; investing in the county workforce to recruit and retain staff; prioritizing health and human services (notably behavioral health and housing stability); and advancing infrastructure readiness for capital needs. Sarah (county staff) and Brooke (budget staff) presented historical trends showing average assessed-value growth of about 6.3% over the past decade but noted staff27s current projection of roughly 4% value growth for tax year 2026, a notable slowdown.
On revenue, staff reviewed the county27s 1% general sales tax (explaining the state distribution formula and the county share) and the county270.25% sales tax, and described recent growth in investment income tied to cash management changes. The behavioral health sales tax fund was singled out: revenue is growing but operating expenses for the treatment and recovery center have also increased, and the fund currently carries an intentionally high fund balance to support operations and capital needs.
Commissioners asked staff to prepare a flat-mill-levy proposed budget (the historical starting point) while also developing analyses of potential cuts and revenue options because slower assessed-value growth will tighten the budget picture. Staff previewed approximately $6.9 million in community partner supplemental requests (about $4.4 million potentially eligible for behavioral-health funding); commissioners and staff discussed the rubric used to rate those requests (high/medium/low) and asked staff to provide more clarity for the board and partners.
Staff will return with the proposed budget in June and formal hearings and deliberations in July; commissioners asked to receive materials in advance and signaled interest in early discussion of any potential reductions or revenue options to preserve core services.
