Douglas County Government’s general and satellite offices will be closed Monday, Jan 21, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Dispatch Center and Criminal Justice Services will be operating. If you have an emergency, please call 911. If you have a non-emergency, call 785-832-7509.
Douglas County has unveiled a new look for the home page of its website: douglascountyks.org.
The center of the home page features the county’s latest news, quick links, popular services, and events and meetings.
Randy Ellis, webmaster, said the goal was to create a home page that's easier to navigate and find information. “We are always working to improve the website and keep information as up-to-date as possible,” Ellis said.
Amazon’s Alexa is officially on the job in the Register of Deeds office, which is located on the third floor of the County Courthouse!
She is available to the public and can answer 50 custom questions about operations in the Register of Deeds office. Alexa will reference statutes, resolutions, and even the county website as she answers questions. She knows recording fees for documents from 1 to 30 pages in length. The Register of Deeds office began using Alexa on Dec. 28.
The 2019 Legislature faces some very big challenges this year. While state finances are much improved over recent years, there are still significant challenges as the Legislature seeks to fund education as required by state law. At the same time, local governments are forced to make very difficult decisions as a result of the budget lid limitations imposed by the 2015 legislative session.
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Affordable Housing Advisory Board Retreat at City Hall. Two or more Commissioners may be in attendance.
Mike Gaughan, of Lawrence, has served as Douglas County Commissioner for nearly 10 years, starting April 6, 2009. His last commission meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 9. Gaughan said his proudest achievements as a commissioner include: investment in mental health, establishment of the Sustainability and Energy Savings Reinvestment Fund, foundation of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and opening of the Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center.
Here’s what he had to say about these initiatives:
January 8th, 2019
11:00am – 12:30pm
Meeting at Douglas County Fairgrounds, Dreher Building (4H)
1. Review and approve CJCC meeting minutes from October 18th, 2018
2. Mental Health Co-Responder/CIT update – Sgt. Halsted, LPD
3. Stepping Up Initiative CSG Technical Assistance – Mike Brouwer
4. Women’s Pilot Diversion Program – Charles Branson
5. My Resource Connection – Jill Jolicoeur
In December, the Douglas County Commission approved an increase to motor vehicle satellite office fees from $2 per vehicle to $5 per vehicle. The new fees began Jan. 1, 2019.
Satellite offices are located at:
The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council is hosting an information session about the 2019 Natural & Cultural Grant Program. It is for those interested in the conservation of local landmarks and natural areas within Douglas County. The session will be 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, at Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., in Meeting Room C.
The Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council announces the 2019 Natural & Cultural Grant Program. Members of the public interested in the conservation of local landmarks and conservation of natural areas within Douglas County are invited to attend upcoming grant information sessions at Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. They will be:
