Your priorities are at work in Douglas County as the Board of Douglas County Commissioners unanimously adopted the 2025 Budget during a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
Property taxpayers in Douglas County will receive $11 million in tax relief in 2025 through a temporary mill levy credit on their tax bills.
The Adopted Budget includes investments in public safety and transportation:
- Funding for eight new Sheriff’s deputies
- $73.6 million for new road construction county-wide, including major projects along County Line Road in Highlands Ranch and Hilltop Road in Parker
- $1.6 million for two Deputy Cadet Training Academies, with 12 participants each
- $2 million to expand Link on Demand into Highlands Ranch
- Up to $3 million to enable the operation of a biochar facility in Douglas County
In 2025, the County will continue to devote American Rescue Plan Act Funds to partnership projects and leverage interest earned on investments of those funds. During a regular business meeting Dec. 10, the Board approved:
- $2 million in additional APRA funding for the Louviers Water and Sanitation District to replace 2,750 feet of distribution lines that serve homes in Louviers.
- $2 million in ARPA funding to Tall Tales Ranch for construction 28 affordable housing units in Lone Tree, specifically for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
“We expend over 40% of this budget on transportation. We expend over 35% of this budget on public safety. We are not raising taxes. We are not raising fees. I’m very proud of that,” said Commissioner George Teal. “I’m very proud we’re able to put together this type of budget. There are counties who really do struggle to get this kind of distribution. I want to assure the people of Douglas County – we are funding transportation in this county, and we are funding public safety in this county.”
“We have a balanced budget, no debt, and no new taxes. That is rare in government,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon. “We’re returning millions of dollars back to our citizens and still accomplishing significant goals. This past year, we were able to end panhandling, encampments and homelessness, particularly for Veterans as well as prevent 22 wildfires throughout the county, all while remaining debt free.”
The Board of Douglas County Commissioners’ Core Priorities are the foundation for the development of the annual budget. These Core Priorities, along with your input, shape the major investments included in the annual budget, including Transportation (45% of the 2025 budget), Public Safety (33%), Health and Human Service (12%), County Services (4%), Historic and Natural Resources (3%), and Economic Foundations (3%).
Additionally, the Board priorities a balanced budget that:
- Avoids raising fees or taxes
- Relies on realistic revenue forecasts
- Maintains stable reserves (and zero debt)
- Improves the quality of services provided to the community
- Matches ongoing revenues with ongoing expenditures.