County sets budget hearings for March 26-29

New Douglas County Chief Financial Officer Kathy Lewis will helm the county budget process March 26-29, when the county starts figuring out how much money it will have next fiscal year.

It will be far from Lewis’ first county budget, though.

She was a county budget manager before being appointed and then elected Douglas County clerk-treasurer. She was chief financial officer at East Fork Fire Protection District before returning to the county.

Last year, county commissioners approved a $61.8 million tentative general fund budget after three days of hearings.

While not the entire budget, the general fund supplies money to operate the county’s law enforcement and courts, administrative functions of the constitutional officers, and community development.

It also pays for around 590 positions, or the majority of the county’s employees.

Property tax provides 58 percent the general fund with another fifth coming from sales and sin tax collections. The property tax devoted to county government is $1.68 per $100 assessed value, with 87.61 cents devoted to the general fund.

In Nevada, property taxes are based on 35 percent of the taxable value. According to the Douglas County Assessor’s Office the county’s total assessed value is around $4.5 billion.

Last year, 88.6 percent of the county’s budget goes to salaries and employee benefits, with services and supplies accounting for 5.4 percent.

The 2024-25 tentative budget kickoff session 10 a.m. March 26 is the first of the hearings and will start with an hour-long presentation.

“At these meetings, the Board of County Commissioners will discuss the development of the upcoming fiscal year operating budgets,” spokesman Eric Cachinero said.  “County departments will provide presentations and members of the public are encouraged to attend.”

Hearings will be conducted at the historic Douglas County Courthouse, 1616 8^th St. in Minden. Visit www.douglascountynv.gov and click on meetings and click agendas and minutes.

“As part of these hearings, commissioners will receive an overview of the budget process and critical information they will need to make informed decisions regarding the 2024-25 fiscal year budget,” Cachinero said. “The board will review and discuss the personnel, operating, and equipment needs of the organization over the course of four days, culminating with board direction as the County continues to develop the budget.”

The county has set aside four days for budget meetings lasting until March 29. Last year commissioners wrapped up in three days.

Commissioners have scheduled a meeting on April 30 to receive a budget update and to discuss the capital needs of the county.

Final budget adoption will be scheduled at a special board meeting on May 20. For questions concerning the hearings, call the Douglas County Manager’s Office at 775-782-9821.