Revised open burning regulations provide one-stop resource for information, more description

The Douglas County Fire Chiefs Association and Douglas County Emergency Management reviewed and recommended updates to the county code that regulates open burning for the unincorporated areas of Douglas County. The updates to the county code, Home Rule Resolution 23-11-3, were approved Wednesday, Nov. 29, by the Board of County Commissioners.

The revised resolution, which was last updated in 2017, does not change when, where, or how people can burn outdoors. Instead, it puts state and county regulations into one policy that now has definitions for open burning on agricultural and residential land as well as for recreational uses. It also describes enforcement and penalties for those who violate the regulations.

“The new policy provides a one-stop shop for getting information, and it provides more clarity. We hope the public finds it easier to understand and navigate,” Emergency Management Director Robert Bieniecki said.

The revisions reflect questions from the public and feedback from firefighters and community members. They were made in consultation with staff from the following county departments: Emergency Communications Center, GIS, Information Technology, District Attorney’s Office, and Zoning and Codes.

• Read the full story
• Draft policy regulations

Video highlights programs, services available in Douglas County for behavioral health

Five years ago, in November 2018, a quarter-cent sales tax was approved by voters to improve behavioral health services and facilities in Douglas County.

Since then, Douglas County has been working with health care providers, social service agencies, nonprofits and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to do just that – to provide a behavioral health system of care that helps people thrive.

A new video, “Rising to the Challenge: New Directions in Behavioral Health,” highlights services and programs that are now available. These include the Engage Douglas County coalition, Handle with Care program, more supportive housing, a Mobile Crisis Response team and a new Treatment and Recovery Center.

“Thanks to Douglas County voters, we now have a lot of resources to get people the help that they need and to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” Director of Behavioral Health Projects Bob Tryanski said.

If you or someone you love needs help, please call 988 or the local crisis line at 785-841-2345.

Emergency Communications Center dispatchers rely on up-to-date business information to assist those calling for help. You can help them by filling out a business change form.

Community can help Douglas County dispatchers by filling out Business Change Form

Did a new restaurant open near you? Did your favorite shop move or close permanently? You can help the Douglas County Emergency Communications Center's dispatchers by filling out a business change form on the Douglas County Geoportal.

When an emergency happens in a public space, a person calling 911 often does not know the street address they are calling from. Instead, they may say, “I’m in the (blank) shop on Massachusetts." By keeping our 911 system up to date with the names of new businesses, updating addresses when a business moves, or removing businesses after they close, dispatchers can better assist members of the public calling for help.

The business change form allows anyone to report a change to a company's location or name. This information is then used by the GIS Department to update the 911 dispatch system.

Sustainability Office seeking feedback on draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan

The Douglas County Sustainability Office has published a draft “Adapt Douglas County: Climate Action and Adaptation Plan” that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the community adapt to the risks of climate change.

Climate change impacts many areas of our lives and these are demonstrated in the four sections of the draft plan. They are:

• Energy – powering where we live, work and play.
• Mobility – moving around the community safely and efficiently.
• Living systems – balancing land uses, ecosystems and natural functions.
• Thriving community – nurturing health and resilience across the county.

The Sustainability team is seeking the public’s feedback on the draft plan through a survey - http://dgcoks.org/caapsurvey – that will be open until Dec. 17. They also have been hosting community meetings and open houses during the past few weeks. There are two upcoming open houses scheduled:

• In Eudora, 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Dec.4, at the Eudora Schools District Office, 1310 Winchester Road.
• In Lecompton, 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Community Building, 333 Elmore St.

There will be a virtual review and discussion session for BIPOC and Indigenous community members from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, on Zoom. To register, visit: https://bit.ly/DouglasCountyCAAP. The session will be facilitated by Alex Kimball Williams.

The final draft of the plan will include implementation commitments, performance indicators and ways that community members can contribute. The Sustainability team anticipates that the final draft will be considered for adoption by the Board of County Commissioners in early 2024.

About your Board of County Commissioners

Chair Patrick Kelly

Vice Chair Karen Willey

Shannon Reid

The Douglas County Commission typically meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts Street, on the second floor in the Commission meeting room. Meetings are also available on Zoom. They will not meet on Wednesday, Dec. 27.

County Commissioners took the following action on regular business agenda items in October. They unanimously approved:

• using B.A. Green Construction and Icon Structures Inc. for contracting services under the county’s on-call construction services process and authorized the County Administrator to sign future negotiated contracts.
• a temporary business use permit renewal request to allow a meteorological evaluation tower on property, southeast of the intersection of North 450 and East 200 roads, for a three-year period with the possibility of a one-year extension.
• new pay ranges for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Criminal Justice Services staff.
• a procedure for requests to match grant funding for broadband projects. 
• adopting Home Rule Resolution HR-23-11-4 with newly-revised language per legal counsel amending the Douglas County Code by enacting the new Chapter 6 (fire safety0, article 1 (open burning).

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

Work sessions

County Commissioners also have work sessions to study and discuss various topics throughout the year. No action is taken during work sessions. If there's a work session, they are held at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays before the business meeting. Here’s the schedule for work sessions in December; however, it may change. So, please check the agenda before attending.

• Dec. 6 — Overview of various tax incentive programs
• Dec. 13 — Judicial and Law Enforcement Center renovation update
• Dec. 20 — Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical updates

Douglas County Human Resources Specialist Kristi Fouraker, left, and Human Resources Manager Michelle Spreer, right, are pictured with Douglas County WorkWell chair Janelle Martin during a recognition celebration on Nov. 17 at the Cider Gallery.

Human Resources team receives health champion award from LiveWell Douglas County

Douglas County Human Resources Manager Michelle Spreer and Human Resources Specialist Kristi Fouraker received a Culture of Health Champion Award on Nov. 17 from LiveWell Douglas County's WorkWell work group!

Spreer and Fouraker were recognized for their work in helping to provide wellness opportunities in the workplace. This includes biometric screenings, mobile mammogram screenings, vaccinations, trainings and gym memberships for employees and water bottle filling stations for employees and the public.

They applied for the Family Friendly Workplace grant through Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s "Pathways to a Healthy Kansas" initiative and recently were awarded $10,000. "Our plan is to use the funds to create or improve lactation rooms in county buildings and to offer free or discounted fitness classes through Parks and Recreation programs and a ‘Healthy Living’ program through a partnership with LMH Health's WellCare Clinic," Spreer said.

Emergency Management Director appointed to state Commission on Emergency Planning and Response

Treasurer's Office mails tax statements, moving to $3 service fee for motor vehicle transactions

The Douglas County Treasurer’s Office mailed 2023 tax statements on Nov. 24. Property owners can also view real estate and personal property tax amounts at: https://propertyinfo.douglascountyks.org. The first half of 2023 property taxes are due by Dec. 20, 2023.

Service fee

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Treasurer’s Office will move to a $3 service fee at all locations for motor vehicle transactions. There currently is a $5 fee to use the two satellite locations and no fee at the downtown Courthouse location. The fees help cover costs for personnel and equipment.

The fees only apply to transactions such as getting a title, renewing registration and adding a lienholder. There will be no fees for lien releases, disabled placards or for mailed in transactions. Customers can renew their vehicle registrations online at https://ikan.ks.gov.

Sheriff's Office collects donations for Treatment & Recovery Center, Lawrence Humane Society

The Sheriff’s Office collects expired and unneeded medications for safe disposal throughout the year at the entrance of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. Eleventh St.

They will accept prescription and over-the-counter medications as well as veterinary drugs. They cannot accept needles, sharps or inhalers. The service is offered for free to the public.

County offices to close for holidays in December

Douglas County Government’s general and satellite offices will be closed Mondays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, for the holidays. There will be no County Commission meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 27.

Judicial and Law Enforcement Center:

111 East 11th Street

Lawrence, KS 66044