DOUGLAS COUNTY- Douglas County’s property tax rate likely will remain the same next year under the budget the county board approved, but many taxpayers will owe more because of increases in their property’s valuation. The board voted to approve a $554.2 million budget for fiscal year 2023-24. That includes $51.6 million in federal pandemic relief and stimulus funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), most of which the board has set aside for mental health needs.

Excluding the county’s ARPA money, the budget increases spending by 4.9% over 2022-23. The general fund portion of the budget, without the ARPA money, is $263 million, up 5.4% from last year. The board voted 5-1, without discussion Tuesday, to approve the budget. Board members Chris Rodgers, Mike Friend, P.J. Morgan, Maureen Boyle and Roger Garcia voted yes. Board Chair Mary Ann Borgeson voted no.

Douglas County Budget and Finance Director Lori Pirsch said the rise in spending is “driven by increased labor costs and criminal justice and health care operations and a 15% increase in road and bridge project spending.” The county’s property tax rate would remain at just over 29.5 cents per $100 in valuation, although the rate won’t be set in stone until September, after final valuations are certified.

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