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Administration News

List of news items for Administration.

Community invited to Jan. 28 informational meeting about 2020 Census

Douglas County and the City of Lawrence are hosting an informational meeting about the 2020 Census from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in the auditorium of Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. The meeting is open to the public.

Local Census experts will share information about the 2020 Census, including timing, job opportunities and next steps.

Getting an accurate Census count is important to the State of Kansas and Douglas County. Here's why:

Douglas County is among 13 counties selected to participate in new County Justice Peer Learning Network

Douglas County is one of 13 counties selected by the National Association of Counties to participate in a new County Justice Peer Learning Network. As a participant, Douglas County will receive technical assistance to implement solutions to provide support for justice-involved individuals with mental illness using a racial and ethnic disparities framework.

Douglas County selected by SAMHSA's GAINS Center to participate in workshop for addressing behavioral health needs

Douglas County has been selected by SAMHSA’s GAINS Center to participate in a Sequential Intercept Mapping (SIM) workshop that will result in a community-wide strategic plan for addressing behavioral health needs for those involved or at risk for involvement in the criminal justice system. The workshop also will help the community establish priorities for change and produce a local systems map.

Douglas County to launch pilot drug court program in January

Douglas County is scheduled to launch a pilot Drug Court in January and the program will accept 15 participants. Douglas County District Court Judge B. Kay Huff will preside over the specialty court in addition to her regular judicial duties.

Drug Court is a 16-month, four-phase program for adults who have been arrested and charged with a non-violent felony offense and are having difficulty staying substance free.

Public Works receives grant for ADA-accessible viewing platform, picnic shelter at Wells Overlook Park

Douglas County Public Works was recently awarded a federal grant to help with the cost of constructing an ADA-accessible viewing platform with shelter and an ADA-accessible picnic shelter at Wells Overlook Park, which is a few miles south of Lawrence along N1000 Road.

The Land & Water Conservation Fund grant will reimburse 50 percent of the eligible expenses, up to $44,790, and it is administered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism. County Commissioners approved the project agreement during their Jan. 15 meeting.

The project includes:

Reservations for Douglas County buildings can now be completed online

You can now reserve Douglas County buildings for parties, reunions or car shows online!

Douglas County rents buildings, grassy areas and an outdoor arena at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper streets, and a community building at Lone Star Lake. Fees vary depending on the facility, duration of event, and other services such as use of a kitchen or equipment setup.

To view rental options and availability or to make a reservation, visit: douglascountyks.org/fairgrounds.

Steven Miles uses agricultural experience, horsemanship skills in work as County Appraiser

Steven Miles has worked in the Douglas County Appraiser’s Office for 28 years and was appointed County Appraiser 10 years ago in 2009.

By Kansas statute, the Appraiser’s Office is responsible for determining the value of all taxable property in Douglas County, which includes real estate and personal property like boats, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, jet skis and planes. As of October 28, the county had 40,943 parcels, including 31,144 residential homes, 1,519 commercial properties, 1,710 farms with a home and 2,956 plots of agricultural land.

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