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Events and Meetings

January 2025 Newsletter

Chief Judge James McCabria speaks during the groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 24 for the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center addition and renovation project, as well as the Public Safety Building. The event took place on the south lawn of the JLEC, 111 E. Eleventh St.

Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of construction for large capital improvement project

Douglas County, in partnership with Treanor and J.E. Dunn Construction, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 24 for the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC) addition and renovation project, as well as the Public Safety Building.


The event included remarks from Douglas County Commissioner Shannon Reid; The Honorable James McCabria, Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial District; Douglas County Undersheriff Stacy Simmons; Vice President Tim Ockinga, of J.E. Dunn Construction; and Principal Jeff Lane, of Treanor.


The largest capital improvement project in the county’s history aims to improve security, enhance operational efficiency and upgrade technology availability.


“This expansion looks to the future,” Judge McCabria said. “To the function and administration of the law in this county, not just today, but for future generations. It is a reflection that this court and this community recognize the value of providing a place where the intersection of law into people’s lives occurs in an environment that can best support and promote the highest ideals of the judiciary for the people that it serves.”


Construction on the JLEC addition began Jan. 27, and it is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026. Construction of the Public Safety Building, which will be located near the Douglas County Correctional Facility, is scheduled to begin this spring and take one year to complete.

Pictured at the groundbreaking ceremony, from left, are Vice President Tim Ockinga, of J.E. Dunn Construction; Principal Jeff Lane, of Treanor; District Attorney Dakota Loomis; Commissioners Gene Dorsey, Shannon Reid, Karen Willey, Erica Anderson and Patrick Kelly; Undersheriff Stacy Simmons; and Chief Judge James McCabria.

Superintendent Darcy Ahrens, of J.E. Dunn Construction, was among those who attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

A rendering of the 158,075-square-foot building that will be added to the south side of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. Eleventh St. Construction is underway with completion expected by summer 2026.

A rendering of the new Public Safety Building that will be constructed near the Douglas County Correctional Facility, 3601 E. 25th St. Construction is scheduled to begin on this building in the spring of 2025 and take about one year to complete.

JLEC Project and Public Safety Building website

Treasurer's Office encourages residents to utilize new Sixth Street location

With limited parking due to construction of the new Judicial and Law Enforcement Center addition in downtown Lawrence, the Treasurer’s Office encourages residents to use its new location at 2601 W. Sixth St. There is typically no wait time, and it is more accessible with close parking, a lobby and a drop box. 


Residents can also renew their motor vehicle taxes and pay property taxes online. Please visit, the Treasurer’s Office website - https://www.dgcoks.gov/treasurer - for more information.

Property tax rebate program available for

low-income seniors, disabled veterans

Douglas County is offering a one-year property tax rebate program for low-income seniors and disabled veterans. The maximum rebate payment per household is $300 or the county portion of property tax, whichever is less. Rebates will be mailed to applicants by July 2025.


The program is for Douglas County residents who are ages 65 and older or disabled veterans. Eligibility requirements also include:

  • Own and occupy a home that is not used as a short-term rental.
  • The home county appraised value is $350,000 or less.
  • Household income is at or below U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) very low-income limits. For a household of one, the maximum income limit is $35,700, and for two, it is $40,800.


The program is a collaboration among the following county departments: Clerk’s Office, Treasurer’s Office, Appraiser’s Office and Administration. The Board of County Commissioners approved the pilot program on Oct. 2, 2024. It is being funded with $500,000 in the county’s general fund reserves.


Currently, Johnson County is the only other county in Kansas that offers a property tax relief program like this one.


Applications need to be submitted along with proof of income and other required documents by April 15.

To apply or learn more

Dakota Loomis takes the oath of office on Jan. 13 in the newly renovated County Commission meeting room in the historic Courthouse. He is the new Douglas County District Attorney.

New District Attorney, two Commissioners join staff

Douglas County’s newly elected and re-elected officials, as well as their appointees, took the oath of office on Monday, Jan. 13, during a swearing-in ceremony conducted by Chief Judge James McCabria.


Karen Willey and Shannon Reid were re-elected to a four-year term on the Board of County Commissioners. Gene Dorsey and Erica Anderson were both elected to two-year terms, and represent the new District 4 and District 5, respectively. They join Patrick Kelly who has served two years of his four-year term. The first business meeting of the new five-member commission was on Jan. 15.


Jamie Shew was re-elected as County Clerk, a position that he has held since 2004. He reappointed Marni Penrod as Chief Deputy Clerk and Ed Healy as Deputy County Clerk of Elections. 


Kent Brown was re-elected as Register of Deeds after serving his first four-year term. Brown has worked in the Register of Deeds office for 11 years. He reappointed Shari Hicks as Deputy Register of Deeds.


Sheriff Jay Armbrister was re-elected, and he reappointed Stacy Simmons as the Undersheriff. They have both worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 26 years. After the ceremony, Armbrister reflected on his first term and talked about the next four years in this video.


Douglas County’s new District Attorney is Dakota Loomis. Starting in 2020, Loomis served as the Baldwin City Judge for two years before becoming the Baldwin City Attorney.


Adam Rains was re-elected Treasurer after serving his first four-year term. He has served in the role since September 2020 when he was selected to finish a term for Paula Gilchrist who retired. His new four-year term officially begins in October 2025. He reappointed Jessica Van Meter as Deputy Treasurer.

Elected Officials information

Pictured after the swearing-in ceremony, from left, are: Deputy Register of Deeds Shari Hicks, County Clerk Jamie Shew, Register of Deeds Kent Brown, Commissioners Karen Willey, Gene Dorsey and Erica Anderson, Sheriff Jay Armbrister, Undersheriff Stacy Simmons, Commissioner Shannon Reid, and Deputy County Clerk Marni Penrod.

The Board of County Commissioners took the following action on regular business agenda items in January. They elected Patrick Kelly as Chair and Shannon Reid as Vice Chair. They unanimously approved:

  • a proposed timeline of Oct. 1, 2025, for the Senior Resource Center to become a Douglas County department.
  • conditional use permits for a landfill use and a mining, excavation and extraction of natural resources use for the K-10 Highway expansion project.
  • a revision of the county code for Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Services.
  • revised Joint Cities-County Emergency Management resolution.
  • revised Emergency Management board bylaws.


The commission also approved a text amendment to the zoning regulations regarding means to monitor potential groundwater pollution from corrosion of galvanized piers on a 4-1 vote with Willey opposed.


* Recordings of the meetings can be found on the Douglas County YouTube channel.


Work sessions

Commissioners have work sessions to study and discuss various topics throughout the year. No action is taken during work sessions. The following work sessions are scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesdays before the business meetings:

  • Feb. 5 – Criminal Justice Services overview
  • Feb. 12 – Sustainability and Heritage Conservation Council overview
  • Feb. 19 – Public Works and Zoning and Codes overview
  • Feb. 26 – Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and private insurance update
  • March 3 – District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office overview
Commission meeting information and agendas

Deputy Officer Wayne Deaver, of Emergency Management, visits with a child during Douglas County Government Day in April 2024. Community outreach and education are a critical component of Emergency Management's mission.

Emergency Management publishes annual report

Douglas County Emergency Management has released its annual report, featuring detailed information about their dedicated staff, budget allocations, volunteer contributions, training programs, and more.


This department plays a crucial role in ensuring our community remains both disaster-aware and disaster-prepared.

Emergency Management annual report

Community invited to severe weather training on March 13 on KU campus

Douglas County Emergency Management, in partnership with KU Emergency Management and the Topeka National Weather Service, is hosting a severe weather training at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at Capitol Federal Hall, 1654 Naismith Drive, on the University of Kansas campus in Room 1111. 


The two-hour workshop will include information about severe thunderstorm development, identification of storm features and safety tips. The free training is open to anyone, and it is being held in conjunction with Severe Weather Preparedness Month.


Interested in applying for a Natural and Cultural Heritage grant? Deadline is approaching

The Heritage Conservation Council is now accepting applications for Natural and Cultural Heritage grants. Up to $210,000 is available with award amounts ranging from $5,000 to $75,000.


Past projects have included ecological restoration of riverbanks along the Kansas River, preservation of headstones at Maple Grove Cemetery near Lecompton, and historic rehabilitation work at St. Luke AME Church in Lawrence.


Interested parties are required to discuss their project with Heritage Conservation Coordinator Kaitlyn Ammerlaan by Feb. 21 in advance of the application deadline, which is 5 p.m. March 6.


The Council will evaluate all proposals and make recommendations for funding to the Board of County Commissioners in April for approval.


Interactive map of past grant projects

Agency representatives who serve on Unified Command discuss preparations for the 2026 World Cup during a meeting on Jan. 17 in the Douglas County Emergency Operations Center.

Unified Command preparing for influx of visitors during summer 2026 World Cup

The City of Lawrence, Douglas County, eXplore Lawrence and the University of Kansas, along with organizations throughout Douglas County, have established a Unified Command to coordinate preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The Unified Command aims to centralize efforts and streamline the community’s readiness for this major event.


The Unified Command is actively addressing the logistics for the anticipated influx of thousands of visitors to Douglas County in the summer of 2026. Key considerations include transportation, accommodation, entertainment, and the needs of the local community regarding public safety, infrastructure and more.


Douglas County Emergency Management is facilitating and coordinating efforts under the National Incident Management System to ensure comprehensive interoperability and coordination before, during, and after the 2026 World Cup. This approach mirrors the community mobilization seen during the 2022 NCAA Championship parade and the COVID-19 pandemic.


Personal property includes items such as recreational vehicles, trailers and boats. In Douglas County, there are approximately 7,200 personal property accounts.

Appraiser's Office raising awareness about personal property changes

Kansas personal property owners are no longer required to file an annual reporting form, known as a rendition, with the County Appraiser’s Office if there have been no changes.


However, personal property owners are still required to notify the County Appraiser’s Office if there are changes to their personal property. Examples of changes that should be reported include:

  • Purchase of new personal property
  • Sale of personal property
  • Changes in the use
  • Changes where the property is stored


According to the new state law, the County Appraiser’s Office isn’t required to mail renditions to property owners. The County Appraiser’s Office staff will now rely on property owners to contact them if there is a change.


On Jan. 1, Douglas County mailed notifications of the change in law as well as a form that can be filed with the Appraiser’s Office to report any changes to the property.


There are multiple options available to report personal property changes. To learn more, visit the Appraiser's Office webpage.

Food Systems Specialist selected

as PolicyLink Spatial Futures Fellow


Douglas County Food Systems Specialist Connie Fiorella Fitzpatrick has been selected as a PolicyLink Spatial Futures Fellow. The fellowship will support her leadership on the Douglas County Indigenous Food Systems Study and Action Plan, advancing work towards an equitable food system.

She is among 13 individuals selected for the fellowship that will bring leaders from across the U.S. and U.S. territories together from February 2025 to August 2026 to advance reparative spatial justice on local, state and national scales.


Fiorella Fitzpatrick serves as the staff liaison to the Douglas County Food Policy Council. Her work is rooted in advancing reparative justice, fostering economic empowerment and creating a just and equitable food system.

Administrative Specialist Kirsten Rhoads, of Consolidated Fire District No. 1, gives a "Stop the Bleed" presentation at the Lawrence Police Department's Teen Academy this past summer.

Consolidated Fire District No. 1 recognized as educational licensee for 'Stop the Bleed' program

Douglas County Consolidated Fire District No.1 has been recognized as an educational licensee for the “Stop the Bleed” program. Consolidated Fire has a roster of certified “Stop the Bleed” instructors available to provide classes.


Stop the Bleed” is a collaborative effort led by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, U.S. Department of Defense, and Defense Health Agency program to bring life-saving lessons learned in the military to the civilian population. 


The goal is to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in an emergency before professional help arrives. 


Why? Uncontrolled bleeding is a major cause of preventative deaths. Approximately 40% of trauma-related deaths worldwide are due to bleeding or its consequences, establishing hemorrhage as the most common cause of preventable death in trauma.


Registration as an educational licensee provides Consolidated Fire expanded access to materials and resources for instruction. To schedule training or for more information on Stop the Bleed, CPR, or First Aid courses, contact the fire department

A Public Works employee works to clear a county road on Jan. 5.

We extend heartfelt gratitude to our Public Works crews who tirelessly worked 12-hour shifts for 75 hours during the severe winter storm that struck Douglas County in early January. The storm brought a quarter inch of ice and approximately 10 inches of snow.

 

The Douglas County Public Works Department maintains 197 miles of paved roads and 34 miles of rock roads. The efforts to prepare, treat, and clear roads during this storm incurred a total cost of approximately $289,932.

 

Here are some additional noteworthy facts:

  • 44 employees worked throughout the storm, with at least 18 employees on duty during each 12-hour shift.
  • They drove a total of 14,433 miles.
  • The fuel cost amounted to $10,227.
  • They used 17,800 gallons of salt brine.
  • 206 tons of salt were used.
  • 501 tons of salt coated with beet juice were applied.
  • They used 1,052 tons of 50/50 sand/salt mix.
  • The total material cost amounted to $81,826.

 

We deeply appreciate the hard work and commitment of our Public Works staff in ensuring the safety and accessibility of our roads.

Emergency Communications Center dispatcher featured in video about his life-saving actions

The American Heart Association - Kansas featured Douglas County Emergency Communications Center shift supervisor Andrew Miller in a recent video about his life-saving actions for coaching 911 callers through chest compressions and CPR to save a man who suffered a cardiac arrest that had left him unconscious and not breathing.


The video also features Emergency Communications Center Director Tony Foster and Deputy Director Sonya Baeza who talk about the importance of training dispatchers on telecommunicator CPR, or T-CPR, and the push for legislation in Kansas to make T-CPR standard practice statewide.

Watch the video

Representatives of the Leadership Lawrence Advisory Board surprised County Clerk Jamie Shew, center, this morning at the Elections Office by delivering a special message: He is the recipient of this year's Distinguished Alumni Award.

County Clerk to receive Leadership Lawrence's Distinguished Alumni Award

Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew has been selected to receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Leadership Lawrence Advisory Board. The award recognizes an alumnus of the Lawrence Chamber’s Leadership Lawrence program who exemplifies the spirit and goals of the program.


Recipients demonstrate civic involvement and trusteeship through the investment of personal time and talent to strengthen the Lawrence and Douglas County area.


The award will be presented to Shew at the annual Rubies and Rosé event on Friday, March 7, 6-9 p.m., at Abe & Jake’s Landing. The event is a fundraiser for Leadership Lawrence in which all proceeds from the event will support scholarships for future classes. The event is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased on the Chamber’s website.

Judicial and Law Enforcement Center:

111 East 11th Street

Lawrence, KS 66044

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