Douglas County sets final FY 2026–27 tax rates after public hearing; Cavanaugh votes no

The Douglas County Board held a public hearing and then approved the county’s final tax rates for fiscal year 2026–27. Finance director Laurie Persch opened the hearing by explaining the statutory deadline: the county must set the levy after the public hearing and before the budget submission to the state on Sept. 30.

Public commenters urged greater budget scrutiny. Doug Kagan, speaking for Nebraska Taxpayers for Freedom, recommended a temporary committee to identify cuts to non-mandated services and asked that county departments post comparable, itemized budget templates online so taxpayers can review staffing and line-item changes. Alan Seibert presented valuation figures, citing a certified taxable value of $78,200,000,000 for 2026 versus $74,100,000,000 for 2025 and warned that tax-increment financing (TIF) districts—he said Douglas County has about 500—shift growth away from political subdivisions.

Commissioners debated process and policy. Chair Garcia and Commissioner Morgan said they supported maintaining the levy while improving public access to budget detail and exploring alternatives to TIF; Commissioner Cavanaugh said he would vote against the levy, arguing that leaving the mill levy unchanged produces ‘‘bracket creep’’ that increases property-tax bills and criticized spending on an underused facility. After discussion, a motion to approve the resolution as presented passed with Commissioner Cavanaugh voting no and all other commissioners voting yes.