County approves $55M bond sale for public safety building and law enforcement center

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners convened on April 9, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including financial resolutions and land use amendments. The meeting began with a resolution to authorize the sale of general obligation sales tax improvement bonds, specifically Series 2025-A, aimed at funding the renovation of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and the construction of a new Public Safety Building. Garth Herman, the county's bond counsel, presented the resolution, detailing that the bonds would amount to approximately $55.75 million, contributing to an estimated total project cost of $82 million. The sale is scheduled for May 7, 2025, with the potential for flexibility in the date depending on market conditions.

Following the bond discussion, the commissioners moved on to consider a comprehensive plan amendment for the West of K-10 area. Mary Miller, the city-county planner, explained that the amendment would change the land use designation from public and institutional to medium-density residential and neighborhood-scale commercial. This change is part of a development plan for affordable housing in the area, which has already received approval from the city commission. The commissioners unanimously approved the amendment, recognizing the need for more housing options in the community.

The third item on the agenda involved a site plan revision for the Hamadora Quarry located near Eudora. The quarry's operators sought to adjust the phases of their mining operations to optimize resource extraction while adhering to reclamation requirements. The commissioners approved the site plan, acknowledging the quarry's efforts to engage with the community and maintain safety standards.

The meeting concluded with an update on alternative 911 emergency response services from Burt Nash and Douglas County Emergency Communications. This segment highlighted ongoing initiatives to improve crisis response and community safety.

Overall, the meeting addressed significant financial and developmental issues, reflecting the county's commitment to enhancing public safety infrastructure and housing availability. The commissioners' decisions will facilitate progress on these critical projects in the coming months.