Douglas County Commissioners on Wednesday approved their 2025 budget, which includes a lower property tax rate than the current budget but will still result in a tax increase for many property owners.

The approved budget reduces the tax levy from 44,209 to 41,298 per thousand, a decrease of 2.91 per thousand.

The average assessed value of properties in Douglas County increased by 6.89%, according to a presentation by County Administrator Sarah Plinsky.

The revenue-neutral tax rate—or the rate at which the county’s tax revenues would remain at the previous year’s level—would be a tax of $41,215.

The median home value in Lawrence was $247,300 in 2022. The owner of that home would have owed the county $1,257 in property taxes under the 2024 tax levy of 44.209 per thousand.

If the house retained its value, property taxes would drop to $1,174 in 2025. But if its value turns out to have increased by an average of 6.89% to $264,339, the owner would have to pay the county $1,255 in property taxes in 2025, according to the 41,298 per thousand tax levy—just $2 less than last year, and that’s despite the nearly 3 per thousand reduction in the property tax rate approved by the commissioners.

One person who spoke during the public hearing said the value of his property had increased by 10%. Using the same numbers as above, that would mean his total property tax debt to the county would increase by about $35, to $1,292.

About two dozen people spoke during the budget hearings, many lamenting rising taxes and raising questions about transparency. Many criticized the county’s growing coffers.

Brian Farley, founder of a group called the Douglas County Taxpayers Association, told commissioners the public has no insight into the assessment process and cannot judge whether it is justified to see the value of their homes increase by tens of thousands of dollars each year. But he knows the assessments are done by a county employee.

“I wanted to address the idea that we are reducing the tax levy and doing it consistently and thereby providing tax relief to the citizens of Douglas County,” Farley said. “When you make that argument, you are ignoring the issue of value appreciation. So by only providing half the picture, you are basically misleading people into believing that what you are saying is actually being done for their benefit.”

The budget includes a request from the City of Lawrence for $750,000 in one-time capital funds to purchase a building to be used as family housing.

Plinsky’s budget proposal, released in July, would have left the mill tax unchanged. Commissioners worked for several days of public budget hearings and deliberations to achieve a lower mill tax.

The commissioners unanimously approved their amended budget. They also approved a budget for Consolidated Fire District No. 1 with a flat tax levy of 5.5 percent.

“I believe that it is our job as commissioners to strike a balance and weigh what is necessary to maintain services for our county and plan for the future needs of our county and the growth of services and expenses over time,” said Commissioner Shannon Reid, “and that it is our job to balance those needs and mitigate the harm where possible without causing more harm in the process by underfunding and inadequate planning for the future needs of this county.”

Commissioner Patrick Kelly said people often point out that Douglas County needs to increase its commercial tax base to reduce the burden on property owners. He said he agrees, but in his experience, there is “significant resistance to more commercial and industrial development” when approving such projects.

Further details on the budget can be found on the county website at this link.

Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at [email protected]. Read more about her work for The Times here. Read her staff bio here.

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