Douglas County has released an updated Grant Manual designed to help employees manage grants more efficiently while ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The revisions clarify roles and responsibilities within departments, reflect the latest regulatory updates, and streamline internal processes to improve transparency and effectiveness in grant administration.

“This manual is an essential tool for all County staff involved in grant writing, reporting, or administration,” said Lisa Daubman, Douglas County Grant Coordinator. “It promotes greater accountability, helps us avoid costly audit findings, and ensures that we manage grant funds responsibly and consistently.”

Who is impacted?
The updated Grant Manual applies to all County employees who are involved in any part of the grant process. This includes staff in Finance, Purchasing, Legal, and any department that applies for, administers, or reports on grant funding.

Why it matters:

• Compliance: Aligns with updated federal and county regulations

• Clarity: Defines roles and documentation standards

• Efficiency: Streamlines processes to reduce delays

• Consistency: Establishes standardized practices across departments

To view the updated Grant Manual, visit the County intranet at:
https://intranet.douglascounty-ne.gov/douglas-county-grant-manual

To see a chart of the updates, click here for the Douglas County Staff Handout: Grant Manual Updates

Employees with questions about the updates can contact Lisa Daubman, Douglas County Grant Coordinator, at 402-444-1699 or lisa.daubman@douglascounty-ne.gov.

Douglas County has officially launched its first-ever artificial intelligence bot — meet DOUG, your new go-to property tax assistant. DOUG is available 24/7 to help residents find answers to their property tax questions, whether it’s understanding a tax statement, navigating the website, or finding key deadlines.

Currently in a soft launch and beta testing phase, DOUG is already live and ready to explore. Residents and County employees can try it out on the following websites:

• www.douglascounty-ne.gov

• boe.douglascounty-ne.gov

• www.douglascountyclerk.org

• assessor.douglascounty-ne.gov

• www.dctreasurer.org

DOUG is designed to make getting property tax information quicker and easier than ever, especially during peak times.

Douglas County employees are encouraged to explore DOUG and see firsthand how artificial intelligence is helping the County deliver more efficient, user-friendly services. Your feedback is welcome as the tool continues to improve!

If you’ve ever wondered how Douglas County property values are assessed or who handles the tough conversations when they’re questioned, meet Scott Barnes. He’s a 14-year veteran of the Douglas County Assessor/Register of Deeds Office and serves as the Senior Residential Appraiser.

Scott oversees the residential appraisal department, providing guidance to appraisers and helping review values and property data. He’s often the calm voice on the other end of the phone when a property owner needs clarification or wants to appeal their value. "It’s rewarding when you can help someone understand the system," Scott said. "Even if they don’t agree with their valuation, they often feel better when they understand how it works."

His professional journey began as a lister and progressed through various roles before becoming a supervisor. Today, he plays a key role in preparing for preliminary valuation meetings, organizing Board of Equalization protest responses, and coordinating cases with the state’s Tax Equalization and Review Commission.

What fuels his success? Discipline, and not just at work.

Scott is also an accomplished endurance athlete. Since 2015, he has completed dozens of races, including three full marathons, four Olympic-distance triathlons, and most recently, a Half Ironman in Des Moines. "It started as a hobby," Scott said. "But it became a lifestyle. I was training about 10 hours a week for the Half Ironman."

He balances this intense training schedule with family life. His wife and 17-year-old son often cheer him on at races, and he also trains alongside his son in the gym. Fitness has become both a personal outlet and a way to bond with his family.

Scott also shares his professional knowledge by teaching mass appraisal courses for the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), the organization that sets standards used in county and state assessments. With encouragement and support from colleagues and former Assessor Walt Peffer, Scott earned his professional designation and instructor certification through IAAO. This allows him to teach appraisal methods to others in the office, including subjects like mass appraisal principles and income valuation methods.

Although he once planned a career in hotel management, Scott was drawn to the stability and growth opportunities in county government. His mother, who worked in the Register of Deeds Office for nearly 30 years, encouraged him to apply. That advice led to a fulfilling career—and a bit of a family legacy in public service.

So, what’s next for Scott? He’s training for the Chicago Triathlon in August and the Indianapolis Marathon in November. After that, he’ll likely find another challenge to tackle.

“It’s about setting goals and putting in the work,” he said. “That mindset helps me in every part of my life.”

Purchasing Power Platform

• Free access to hassle free purchases through payroll deductions. 

• Platform provides:

  • • 40,000+ brand-name products & even travel

    • Upfront delivery & no hassles

    • Easy, fixed payments right from your paycheck

    • Financial health resources

• 20% Discount available through 8/31/2025.  Use Code: 20PROJULY25

• Click here to sign up! 

457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

• Allows for pre-tax deductions to save for retirement.

• Options available through 2 vendors - Voya or Nationwide.  

• What is a 457 plan? Read more here. 

• Visit the HR Voluntary Benefits page for vendor contact information. 

YMCA Membership Fees - Payroll Deduction

• Employees may elect to pay YMCA membership fees through payroll deductions on the second check of each month. 

• Click here for information on location and rates. 

• Visit the HR Voluntary Benefits page for information on enrollment.   

Student Loan Benefit - Savi

• What can Savi do for you?

  • Save you money on your monthly payments

  • Create a clear path to apply for student loan forgiveness programs

  • Provide answers to all of your student loan questions through educational webinars and customized support

  • Keep you updated on new programs and policy changes

• For more information or to sign up click here. 

Congratulations!

RETIREMENTS

• Kimberly King - Corrections

• Pam Visor - Health Center

• Barbara Williamson - Health Center

• Ioka Brannan - Health Center

• Christopher Yordt - Sheriff

• Anthony Ramaeker - Sheriff

PROMOTIONS

• Detria Price - Community Mental Health Center

• Shauna Brayman - Community Mental Health Center

• Meena Wilwerding - Community Mental Health Center

• Ariadna Coronado - Corrections

• William Rooney - County Attorney

• Fatimata Zoungrana - Health Center

• Janet Tambe - Health Center

• Ibrahim Olayiwola - Health Center

• Paola Ramos Nodal - Health Center

• Fatima Alberto-Barrios - Health Center