Douglas County commissioners on Wednesday voted to expand a property tax rebate program with a goal of offering further assistance to seniors with low incomes and veterans who are disabled. A pilot program rolled out last year. About 81% of the 135 applicants were eligible. They received an average rebate of $281, with the maximum set at $300, and the county gave almost $31,000 total back to taxpayers, according to documents in the meeting agenda. County commissioners approved $500,000 in their budget to offset the cost of rebates, so the value of all rebates came to less than 1% of the funds set aside. For 2026, county staff members proposed increasing the maximum rebate to $400, or the county’s portion of the person’s property taxes if that amount is lower than $400.
Read more: The Lawrence Times
