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Official Board of County Commissioners Records

Maintaining official Board of Commissioner Records:

The County Clerk is the official record-keeper for the County and to act as the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners when they act as the Board of Commissioners or the Board of Equalization. Having a "Secretary" to the Board who is outside of their control is a constitutional check and balance to ensure that public meetings open records laws are followed.

The first meeting of the Douglas County Board of Commissioners was held on December 18, 1857. At that time the Board met each day, with the exception of Sunday. Original records from the first Board meeting to the present are on file in the County Clerk's Office. These records are also on microfilm and are available for view by the public. They present a fascinating account of the early days and development of the County and surrounding areas. If you are interested in any County Board records, we have staff members available to assist you in locating Board records. (444-6764)

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners meets each Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in the Legislative Chambers of the Omaha Douglas Civic Center at 1819 Farnam Street in Omaha. At this same meeting, the Board also holds the Board of Equalization meeting. For information about the Board meeting, call 444-6764 or check this site for the weekly agenda. The preliminary agenda is published on Thursdays and the final agenda is published Monday morning. For information about the Board of Equalization agenda please call 444-6072.

Any citizen may place an item on the County Board's agenda at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. You can do this by calling the Clerk's office at 444-6764 or the County Commissioner's Office at 444-6072. Citizens also have the right to speak during the meeting regarding agenda items. If you are interested in following the County Board proceedings, but are unable to attend, meetings are televised on local cable station. Check your cable listing for scheduling details.

Each week the Board of Commissioners approves claims for payment that have been audited by the County Clerk/Comptroller's Finance Division. There are usually a number of other items that appear regularly on the agenda including bid opening, presentations, public hearings and approval of contracts. Documentation for each item on the Board of Commissioners agenda is available for public inspection on Monday morning before the Board meeting. Nebraska Law allows for the Board to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters or litigation issues. Executive Sessions are closed to the public; however, the Board may not take any official action while it is in Executive Session.

If you are interested in obtaining any records from a Board of Commissioners meeting the Clerk's office has software to do full text searches. Staff is also available to assist citizens in locating Board records at any time. Copies of records are fifty cents per page. Audio and videotapes of Board meetings are also available. Please click here to see our fee sheet.