Join us Friday for an Open House event!

Douglas County, in partnership with Treanor and Watkins Museum of History, is hosting a special Open House event to celebrate the newly renovated Commission meeting room in the historic Courthouse, located at 1100 Massachusetts St. in downtown Lawrence.

Stop by anytime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. this Friday, March 28, to learn about the history behind the project. The room has been restored to its original 1913 configuration. The transformation was inspired by a photograph in the souvenir book “Lawrence, Today and Yesterday,” published by the Lawrence Journal-World.

Lawrence photographer Earl Richardson will be present to talk about his scenic photographs of Douglas County, now featured on acoustic panels in the room.

The event is free and open to the public, and it is part of eXplore Lawrence's Final Friday events. Light refreshments will be available.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office launches podcast

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is proud to announce its new View from 100 podcast hosted by Sheriff Jay Armbrister.

“It's something I have wanted to do for a long time as a new avenue to reach people who either don't know much about the agency and the work we do with our partners in the community or might have questions about law enforcement and corrections in general,” Armbrister said.

The first episode debuted this month as a conversation with Undersheriff Stacy Simmons. Armbrister and Simmons talked about their long careers with the Sheriff's Office and their goals for the future of the agency. The Sheriff's Office plans to release a new episode monthly. The next episode will feature a conversation with Douglas County Criminal Justice Coordinator Katy Fitzgerald.

“View from 100” is available via your favorite podcast app or the DGSO YouTube channel.

County Appraiser Brad Eldridge, left, provides information about the property appraisal process during a public presentation on March 24 in the Courthouse. About 50 people attended the meeting. The Appraiser's Office is hosting a walk-in information session from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, March 31.

County appraisers available to answer questions during walk-in session on March 31

The Douglas County Appraiser's Office will host a walk-in information session between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, March 31, at the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts. This event, located in the Commission meeting room on the second floor, provides an opportunity for residents to meet with appraisers and ask questions about property values.

Appeals deadlines and submission process

Property owners should have received their Change of Value notices earlier this month. These notices include essential details about the valuation process, a market overview of residential and commercial value changes, and instructions for appealing property values.

To appeal your property value, complete the form on the back of your notice and submit it to the Appraiser's Office no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 31. Submissions can be:

• Mailed or delivered to the office in the basement of the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., or dropped off at the walk-in session.
• Emailed to appeals@dgcoks.gov

Resources and events

Earlier this week, about 50 residents attended a public information session hosted by the Appraiser's Office. Presentation slides from the event are available on the Appraiser's website.

County Appraiser Brad Eldridge has also published the March Appraisal Newsletter, which offers insights into the real estate market, construction permits, value changes in residential and commercial properties, personal property reporting and more.

Application deadline for property tax rebate program is April 15

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. 

Applications can be found on the county’s website – https://dgcoks.gov/taxrebate – and need to be submitted along with proof of income and other required documents by April 15.

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 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.

Board of County Commissioners

The Board of County Commissioners took the following action on regular business agenda items in March. They unanimously approved:

• authorizing District Court staff to accept and expend federal grant funds to support Veteran’s Treatment Court in the project amount of $348,390 total over the next four years.
• the Government Finance Officers Association’s proposal for consulting services to support the county’s readiness efforts for a new procurement system in an amount not to exceed $145,000.
• an agreement between the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center and Douglas County to support the Flexible Housing Pool Program for one year. The program would serve low-income homeless or precariously housed individuals and families who meet certain criteria.
• directing staff to prepare for the bond sale that will pay for the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center renovation and expansion project and the creation of the Public Safety Building.
• a site plan for a cemetery on about 10 acres at 1668 N 1400 Road in east Lawrence between 23rd Street and Venture Park Drive. 
• sending a letter to federally elected representatives regarding their concerns about local impacts of the Trump administration’s executive orders.

* 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:

• April 2 – General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) discussion
• April 9 - My Resource Connection and Familiar Faces initiative
• April 16 - IT and Maintenance departments overview
• April 23 - Planning overview

Douglas County Discovery Day is April 29

Join us for a fun-filled evening at Douglas County Discovery Day, happening Tuesday, April 29, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Open Pavilion at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper streets. This free, family-friendly event is open to the entire community!

Event Highlights

• Touch-a-Truck experience: Explore equipment from Public Works, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, Consolidated Fire District No. 1, Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, Emergency Communications and Maintenance.
• Interactive games and activities: Enjoy a scavenger hunt, Plinko board, cake walk, and more!
• Live entertainment: Groove to live music and a radio broadcast by a local station.
• Delicious eats: Satisfy your cravings with food available for purchase from JB’s Tacos, Pretzelly and Barbwire Barbecue.

You can also connect with county staff from Youth Services, the District Attorney's Office, Clerk/Elections, Administration, Appraiser, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, GIS, Heritage Conservation, Zoning and Codes, and District Court.

Representatives from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, Engage Douglas County, Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County, Senior Resource Center, and "A Place for Everyone" community engagement team will be at the event, too.

We’re excited to welcome you for an evening of discovery, fun, and community connection as part of National County Government Month! Don’t miss it — we hope to see you there!

Emergency Management offering CERT course

Douglas County Emergency Management is accepting registrations for its Spring 2025 CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training. The course is designed to teach individuals to be better prepared to help themselves, their families and communities before, during and after a disaster. 

The training is free, and the registration deadline is Monday, March 31. The course will take place April 11-April 13 at the Ambler Student Recreation Center on the KU campus.

To register, visit: dgcoks.gov/dgcocert

The training course includes information on disaster preparedness, fire safety, medical operations, light search and rescue, terrorism, and team organization. At the conclusion of the training, individuals may register to become a CERT volunteer. Authorized CERT volunteers provide support to first responders and other agencies during a disaster and at community events as directed by Emergency Management.

Heritage Conservation Council launches fund to help support community events

The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council (HCC) has launched a new Heritage Events and Celebrations Fund program to help support community organizations that host annual events in Douglas County that celebrate, honor and uplift the county’s diverse cultural heritage. Organizations may request up to $10,000 in funding, with a total of $20,000 available in 2025. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, April 11.

Eligible events must already be established within the community, occur annually, and be free and open to the public. Funding can be used for any expenses related to hosting, promoting and preparing for the event. HCC anticipates that between two and four events will be selected to receive funding.

The application is available at - dgcoks.gov/hcc - along with more information about the new program. HCC plans to discuss and approve award recipients during its meeting on May 1.

• News release

Rural Living resource fair set for April 12

K-State Research and Extension Douglas County is hosting a Rural Living in Douglas County Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper streets. The event aims to connect community members with experts and resources tailored to rural living needs.

The resource fair will have information about prairie planting and wildlife habitat management, woodland area management, brush clearing and noxious weed control, land preservation and more. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with a range of experts, including agencies, nonprofits, consultants, nurseries and contractors. The event will have information booths in Building 21 and speakers in the Dreher Family 4-H Building. The schedule for speakers:

• 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – Joe Gerken, Kansas State University, pond management.
• 11 a.m.-noon – Luke Berning and Joe Piezuch, Kansas Prescribed Burn Association, prescribed burning and fire protection.
• 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. – Jason Tanking, Jason Tanking Construction, home building in Douglas County.
• 1:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m. – EJ Jamison, Kansas Forest Service, forest stand management.
• 2 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – Tonya Voigt, Douglas County Zoning and Codes Director, zoning and code enforcement.

The event is free and open to the public. It is funded by the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council’s Natural and Cultural grant program.

Engage Douglas County hosting 5K & Festival on April 26 for youth suicide prevention

Engage Douglas County is hosting its second “Leading Causes of Life 5K & Festival” from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26, at Broken Arrow Park. The family-friendly event features food, activities and a 5K walk/run to raise awareness around youth suicide prevention.

The 5K begins at 8 a.m. in the park, 2800 Louisiana St., and winds through the beautiful wetlands. The cost to participate in the 5K is $20 per person and all proceeds benefit youth suicide prevention and mental health efforts in Douglas County. The festival is free to attend.

VIDEO! Check out the Douglas County Treasurer's new location at 2601 W. Sixth St.! It has close parking, zero-step entry, and typically little to no wait! The location, which is next to EconoLodge, is just east of the Phillips 66 gas station and west of the new Starbucks coffee shop.

Judicial and Law Enforcement Center:

111 East 11th Street

Lawrence, KS 66044