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Lawrence school board to consider increasing meal prices, some student fees
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider approving a 10-cent increase to lunch and breakfast prices in addition to some student fee increases for the 2024-25 year.
Latest – All local government news
Numbers of people seeking shelter have ‘significantly increased’ amid Lawrence’s winter weather
The numbers of people experiencing homelessness who are seeking indoor emergency shelter have “significantly increased” as deadly winter weather has hit Lawrence over the past week.
City of Lawrence to keep Santa Fe Depot open for shelter through extreme cold snap; volunteers needed
The City of Lawrence plans to keep the Amtrak station in East Lawrence open 24 hours a day through the extreme cold temperatures and wind chills the area will see over the next few days.
Douglas County renews Smart911 contract; service gives dispatch crucial info in emergencies
A service that gives Douglas County first responders extra information to better help people in emergencies will be available for at least five more years under a renewed contract.
Lawrence city Commission
City budget would hike property taxes, seek to double .05% sales tax to support homelessness solutions
The Lawrence city manager’s proposed budget for 2025 would increase the property tax rate, and it proposes asking voters to double the .05% affordable housing sales tax to support homelessness initiatives. It would also cut some of Parks & Rec’s budget.
Parking, golf course among top concerns voiced in Lawrence City Commission’s discussion of new code
Lawrence community members voiced concerns about parking, floodplain development and the golf course in the Alvamar neighborhood Tuesday during city commissioners’ discussion of the draft revised land development code.
Lawrence City Commission general public comment for July 2, 2024
Here’s the general public comment for the Lawrence City Commission’s Tuesday meeting, as public comment is no longer being broadcast.
Douglas County Commission
Proposed Douglas County budget would increase property taxes for most residents
Douglas County’s proposed budget for 2025 would keep property tax rates flat but increase taxes for most residents because valuations have increased. Commissioners also could still add $20 million in expenditures.
Douglas County Commission candidates discuss climate plan, race and equity, property taxes
Candidates running for Douglas County Commission seats largely agreed during a forum Saturday that housing inequality and increasing property taxes are pervasive but shared differing viewpoints on environmentalism and equity strides.
Forums set for Douglas County DA, commission candidates
The NAACP and League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County on Saturday will host forums for candidates running for key offices in Douglas County.
Lawrence School Board
Lawrence elected leaders face threats, polarization in a changing climate for public servants
When she first ran for election to the Lawrence school board more than a decade ago, Shannon Kimball wanted to help her community and her city’s public schools. Her most recent term has shown her a side of the job she hadn’t seen before.
Lawrence school board member Andrew Nussbaum steps down
Andrew Nussbaum, elected to the Lawrence school board in November, has submitted his resignation, effective immediately.
Lawrence school board votes 4-3 against fees for students who qualify for reduced-price meals
Lawrence school district families who qualify for reduced-price meals will have to budget for meal costs for the upcoming school year, but not for additional student fees, the school board decided during its meeting Monday.