Douglas County Board of Commissioners
Douglas County Board of Commissioners
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1819 Farnam St, Omaha, Nebraska 68102 Omaha, NE 68102 (Directions)
Omaha-Douglas Civic Center, Legislative Chambers
The county operates under the board of commissioners-administrator form of government. Policymaking and legislative authority is vested in the Board of Commissioners, which consists of seven members. The Board of Commissioners is responsible, among other things, for passing resolutions, adopting the budget, appointing committees and hiring the county’s chief administrative officer. The board is elected within their respective districts. Board members are elected to four-year terms, staggered, with three or four members elected every two years. The Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for carrying out the policies and resolutions of the Board, for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the county, and for appointing the heads of county departments that do not have an elected official.
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Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Omaha - NE Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Anton Johnson
Anton Johnson
@AntonIsWriting
Good morning, I’m live-tweeting today’s Douglas County Board of Commissioners meeting for @oma_documenters. Today the Board will discuss an expansion to the county jail for mental health treatment
You can follow along here: youtube.com/live/Vdn184gbs…
You can follow along here: youtube.com/live/Vdn184gbs…
09:00 AM May 23, 2023 CDT
On to the regular meeting. The Board approved the consent agenda
During citizen comment, Larry Storer warned against “cultural marxism” and diversity, equity and inclusion
Executive Director Deborah Ward said hotel revenues in Douglas County were up by 25% in 2022
She said part of that is higher hotel rates, but there was also higher demand
Ward said that although there were fewer major events (like the Olympic swim trials in 2021) in 2022, there were more smaller events which brought in more revenue
Advertising was focused on target markets including Kansas City, Minneapolis and Chicago. Ward said the campaign reached visits to the Visit Omaha website increased by 30%
Ward showed the Board a tourism commercial for Omaha https://t.co/dVPyBLvMq5
Omaha had nearly 3.7 million visitors from targeted cities in 2022
Looking ahead, an independent research center projects that Douglas County will bring in $7million more revenue in 2023. Ward said they’ve seen an even larger percentage increase so far
Ward said Omaha attracts different types of visitors, so the new Visit Omaha website has recommendations for those different visitors visitomaha.com
Next is a resolution directing county staff to begin the expansion of County Corrections for a mental treatment unit
The resolution sets aside $50 million in ARPA funds and $8 million from previously allocated CARES Act funds
This resolution drops the new community mental health center that was previously proposed, but it does include construction of a new parking structure
If it’s determined that ARPA can’t be used for a new parking structure, the county will use general fund money
Comm Jim Cavanaugh thanked Comm PJ Morgan for working on this resolution, which he said is better than the original proposal
Cavanaugh said there still needs to be vetting for alternative proposals
Cavanaugh said they’ve been advised that there could be a federal clawback of the COVID funds they’re using for the project. He also said they need a rationale for using new property rather than existing property
Cavanaugh proposed an amendment adding language saying that the County will try to minimize the risk of a federal clawback
Comm Chris Rodgers said he’ll vote against the resolution bc doesn’t think an expansion to the jail is necessary. He said this will be the costliest part of the proposal
Rodgers said this is putting money into a system that the state has done nothing to improve.
“If we’re gonna put more money into that, it’s just like pouring water onto the ground in 120 degree weather,” Rodgers said.
“If we’re gonna put more money into that, it’s just like pouring water onto the ground in 120 degree weather,” Rodgers said.
Comm Maureen Boyle said they still need to promote mental health for those outside the criminal justice system.
Boyle said they can save taxpayer dollars through stabilization services, keeping people out of incarceration
Cavanaugh’s amendment hasn’t received a second, but Comm Morgan said his concerns will be addressed by county staff
Comm Mike Friend said long-term care isn’t a statutory responsibility for the county. He said this project is “splitting the baby”
Friend said it’d be better to put the money toward private organizations and hold them accountable.
Comm Roger Garcia said he wouldn’t support a general extension to the county jail, but he does support this bc it’s for mental health treatment specifically
Garcia said this isn’t a “blank check” and anything will come back to the Board for approval
Comm Rodgers said this should be the state’s responsibility. The county jail is for short term stays, unlike state prisons
Chair Mary Ann Borgeson said the Board is missing the point by comparing this resolution to the full proposal. She said putting the community mental health center in proximity to the jail’s treatment unit would allow them to address both populations
Borgeson said she wants to know how much of the ARPA allocation will go toward this project. She also wants to remove the $8 million CARES act funds from this resolution
“It saddens me that this has been lost and we’re separating the two,” Borgeson said
Comm Morgan said he’s fine with just using the $50 million in ARPA
Morgan said he’ll look at getting the state and private foundations on board for community mental health. “We’ll never be able to serve enough people, but if we got those partnerships, we can serve more.”
Sheriff Aaron Hansen said law enforcement supports this resolution. He said his deputies regularly interact with people going through a mental health crisis, and those people need a better facility to be treated
Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub said the Board is on the right track, but the private sector could be a part of the solution. He said there’s more awareness now than in the past
Tim Heller said he’s glad the County Board is taking action on mental health. He said this is a needed fix, and agreed that there’s a lot more the county can do
Heller said the county should look at outside partnerships to increase the number of beds for mental health treatment
Amber Wood said her daughter was killed in a mass shooting last year. One of those people involved in the shooting had preceded been through the criminal justice system, and she said he clearly didn’t receive the mental health treatment he needed
Wood said public safety should be at the forefront of these conversations. She said she wants to hear more about the programs than new buildings
Not wanting to repeat what has already been said, former state senator Ernie Chambers said “amen” to Hal Daub’s comments
Luis Jimenez said he doesn’t agree that colocating with community mental health would be stigmatizing. He said he supports the corrections piece
He said the County Board doesn’t have a cost estimate for a new parking garage, but he estimates a 500 stall garage would cost over $3 million
Chair Borgeson said people should be able to regain their dignity outside of corrections. Colocating the facilities would’ve allowed them to continue care for someone after theyre incarcerated
Comm Boyle moved for an amendment to remove the $8 million in CARES Act.
County Administrator Patrick Bloomingdale said the intention of the general fund reserve money was in case they weren’t able to use ARPA for parking
The CARES act money is now a part of the general fund, so it doesn’t have that regulations
If I understand correctly, Boyle’s amendment would remove the highlighted text. https://t.co/pZrl8CZEQJ
The amendment will remove any mention of the general fund money earmarked for mental health https://t.co/W1CDDYS9re
The resolution as amended passed 5-2. Borgeson and Rodgers voted no
The department is requesting more than $390,000 over their targeted amount.
County Attorney Don Kleine said drug court helps save costs for the county by keeping people out of jail
Kleine said they’re also responsible for coroner’s duties, and their autopsy suite is saving millions of dollars for the county
He said the number of autopsies is going up, but cost per autopsy is still low compared to other agencies like the med center
Kleine said there also some expenses associated with the move to the new justice center and wage raises
Comm Boyle asked for more details on cost savings
Kleine said none of the over-budget money is for personnel. He said its mostly for coroner expenses
Kleine said none of the over-budget money is for personnel. He said its mostly for coroner expenses
Kleine said they also seek out grant funding. He said he’ll send another document outlining cost-savings to the board
The agenda was out-of-date, the budget request is $442,000 overthe targeted budget
Next is a budget presentation by the Douglas County Civil Service department, which $300,000 over the targeted amount
HR Director Karen Busche said the bulk of the request is for staffing. She said they have 1 HR employee per 191 county employees, which is lower than ideal
She said they’re looking to hire 3 additional positions, including an investigator for employee relations matters
They also want to hire a recruiter to help fill vacant positions, and a pension/benefit specialist
Busche said they cant afford to hire people at market value, so they anticipate bringing people on to train them
She said much of her staff is burnt out, and HR employees are receiving offers from agencies outside the county
The department is also requesting money for license fees, eLearning content for mandatory training, and advertising to fill vacant positions
Busche said they are saving costs by utilizing exempt employees to acoud paying overtime and compensatory time. They also take advantage of free HR training and go to the County Attorney’s civil division instead of outside attorneys
Comm Cavanaugh said they’re requesting about a 20% increase to their budget, which is a big swing.
Busche said the biggest factor is the increased workload, which is taxing on her staff
Cavanaugh asked if the non-staffing requests are necessary.
Busche said the licensing fees are difficult to give up, and would increase the staff’s workload
Busche said the licensing fees are difficult to give up, and would increase the staff’s workload
Comm Morgan agreed that the 20% increase is a lot. He said the finance committee will have a close look at the budget
Comm Friend asked if a trained HR rep could handle taking on a position combining multiple responsibilities for the requested new positions.
Busche said they don’t have much time for new training, although their employees are all crosstrained
Busche said they don’t have much time for new training, although their employees are all crosstrained
One more budget request presentation: emergency management, which is requesting $99,000 more than the targeted anount
Director Paul Johnson said grant awards have helped them save costs.
The over-budget money will go towards utilities, maintenance and upgrades for sirens, as well as the NRD flood warning system
Comm Cavanaugh asked if climate change has affected the tornado threat.
Johnson said data has shown an increase in number and severity in the southeast part of the country especially. In Nebraska, they’ve been putting out more warnings for wind as well as tornadoes
Johnson said data has shown an increase in number and severity in the southeast part of the country especially. In Nebraska, they’ve been putting out more warnings for wind as well as tornadoes
The next item is to terminate the agreement with the state to provide detention at the DC Youth Center. Kim Hawekotte from administration said they’ll want to work out a new agreement, and prioritize Douglas County youth
Hawekotte said they engaged in conversations about a new agreement
Comm Friend said he’s concerned that the number of youth on probation will increase over the summer. He said the county’s chief responsibility is public safety
Friend said he’ll vote no, and he thinks they can take more time on this
Comm Cavanaugh said the problem is that the new youth center has reduced capacity, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. He said there will be consequences if the county doesn’t have room to detain juveniles
Hawekotte said terminating the agreement gives them leverage to negotiate a new agreement
She said DCYC holds about 3-5 youth from outside the county per day.
Comm Garcia said they need to run a financially sound facility but he has reservations about terminating the agreement
Comm Boyle said she supports the resolution so they can work out a new agreement thats better for kids on probation
Comm Morgan said he’ll likely vote no. He said he’d rather a resolution saying they’ll negotiate a new agreement
Sheriff Aaron Hansen said he opposes this resolution, as well as the next item which terminate a similar agreement with the US Marshall
Hansen said it’s unfortunate that some youth have to be detained, but it’s necessary for public safety
Joy Suder from Creighton’s juvenile justice legal clinic said children placed on probation have a right to rehabilitation services, and the Youth Center isnt the best place for that.
Suder said terminating the agreement will force probation to make necessary changes.
She added that the current system is perpetuating racial disparities.
LaVon Stennis-Williams from Reconnect Inc said this proposal will finally address racial disparities in DCYC.
She said some of what Sheriff Hansen and commissioners have said are dogwhistles about children of color
Stennis-Williams said the state should’ve seen these issues coming as well.
She said Sheriff Hansen has been irresponsible when talking about this issue on social media
Amber Wood, who spoke earlier and said her daughter was a shooting victim, said the system hasn’t been working for public safety. Her daughter’s murderer was on probation for a previous felony
She said this resolution isn’t proactive, and probation isnt able to do enough
Jaquala Yarbro said the pipeline to prison is clear for children of color. She said she might be in prison today if she hadn’t received support as a youth
Comm Garcia said they need more details on how they can improve the system
Comm Friend said since the number of youth they need to detain is the state’s authority, they need to provide adequate capacity.
He said if they dont have capacity, the state will send youth to another location, which could mean youth from Omaha being detained out of state
Friend said he wants to see as few youth detained as possible, but he doesn’t have “a magic wand” to make that happen
Comm Rodgers showed a snapshot of the DCYC population. He said numbers that another commissioner talked about earlier were incorrect https://t.co/9Z30Dwp29g
Rodgers said kids won’t be sent out of state. He said they need to have conversations about continually improving the system
Chair Borgeson said nothing’s changed about what needs to be done, and they will still negotiate with the state
She said they’ll continue to work on programs to benefit youth and their families
The County Board voted to terminate the agreement, 4-2. Cavanaugh and Friend voted no, Garcia abstained
A similar agreement with the US Marshall passed 4-2, on the same lines
A resolution to raise the rate for detention at DCYC passed 7-0
Lastly is a resolution to establish measures to reduce capacity at DCYC for the transition to the new facility
Comm Cavanaugh said this is a “wish list” that doesn’t do anything to actually reduce capacity
He said they should engage in a real discussion on specific efforts to reduce capacity
The resolution passed 4-3, Friend, Cavanaugh and Garcia voted no.
The Board adjourned at 1:55 pm. I’ll be back very shortly for Omaha city council
The Board adjourned at 1:55 pm. I’ll be back very shortly for Omaha city council
Agency Information
Douglas County Board of Commissioners
Douglas County, incorporated in 1854, forms part of one of the nation’s major metropolitan areas along the Missouri River, with Omaha as its largest city. The county has a broad-based economy with strong trade, service, and manufacturing sectors, with many corporations headquartered in the county. This is the major insurance and telemarketing center of the United States. The employment base is diverse and employment remains stable. Douglas County’s unemployment rate has consistently remained below the state and national averages. The county operates under the board of commissioners-administrator form of government. Policy making is vested in the Board of Commissioners, which consists of seven members.
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