Douglas County continues to blaze a trail of supportive initiatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and the tradition will carry on into 2026. Following the approval by Douglas County voters back in 2001, the Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy has proven to be a source of necessary support, distributing over $7.3 million to date, with $500,710 earmarked for local service organizations in 2026, as reported by Douglas County.
During a recent meeting, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners gave their nod to a new round of grants, awarding sums that span from $3,995 to $54,000 for various projects and efforts aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents living with developmental challenges; these grants will furnish therapeutic activities, transportation and further services designed to bolster inclusivity and aid, yet, despite the diversity of the funded projects, the overarching goal remains clear, to live up to the spirit of inclusion and solidarity that the community voted for.
It is the Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy Advisory Council that bears the responsibility of sifting through grant applications and recommending the most promising to receive funding. The list of benefactors selected for 2025-26 can be viewed by those interested in the targeted aid being fostered by the county’s munificence.
A significant 93% of the mill levy funds are channeled to Developmental Pathways, the county’s designated community-centered board, with only a small fraction, 1.5%, being allocated for the Treasurer's fees, and another 5.5% set aside for the Grant Program, a testament to the community's determination to funnel their resources effectively and directly into initiatives that hold the promise of real, tangible benefits for their fellow citizens with developmental disabilities, notably as a continuation of a commitment that has been steadfast since the levy's inception two decades prior.
