Douglas County, Colorado
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Douglas County is one of 64 counties in Colorado. The county seat is Castle Rock.
The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver and Colorado Springs. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 280,621 in 2008, a 59.7% increase since U.S. Census 2000, making Douglas County one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.[1] Douglas County is part of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area. The county seat is Castle Rock, named after a prominent castle tower-shaped butte just north of the town.
Most residents commute to workplaces elsewhere in the metropolitan area outside of the county. Suburban development is displacing the ranching economy of the county.
Contents |
Website evaluation
In 2011 Douglas County earned a Sunny Award for having a perfect website transparency score.
This website was most recently evaluated 2013-01-31.
- Main article:Evaluation of Colorado county websites
The good
- Budget
- The most current budget is listed.
- Budgets are archived for 4 years.[2]
- Administrative Officials
- Department heads are listed for each department.[3]
- Contact information for administrative officials is provided including a mailing address, phone number, and personalized email.
- Elected Officials
- Elected officials are listed with a mailing address, phone number and group email.[4]
- Meetings
- Audits
- The most recent audit is posted.
- Audits dating back to 2009 are available.[7]
- Contracts
- Public Records
- The public information officer is identified and maintained by county attorney, but each request should be sent to the relevant department. The open records page lists the departments and what records they have.[10]
- A fee schedule for documents is provided.
- Taxes
- Lobbying
- The county discloses it's a member of government sector lobbying associations.[14] Membership dues for associations that lobby are disclosed.
- The county discloses it hires lobbyists and the total amount spent on lobbying.[15]
- Permits and zoning
- Zoning ordinances are posted online.
- Permit applications can be downloaded on the site, along with information on how to apply for the permits.[16]
- Usability
- Updated site in order to work on mobile devices.
Elected Officials
For most purposes, Douglas County acts through its Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The three-member board acts, by majority vote of a quorum present, to adopt ordinances in those limited areas for which specific authority has been given by the State Legislature, and to adopt resolutions to conduct all of its other business.[17]
The BCC performs legislative, executive and quasi-judicial functions. The Board serves as the legislative, policy-making and administrative body governing the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.[17]
The BCC appoints a County Administrator to carry out the policy directions of the Board and to supervise and coordinate the work of the staff in the departments that fall under direct control of the Board. With the exception of the County Attorney, the County Administrator will have line authority over all County divisions under the BCC.[17]
The County Attorney is a constitutionally prescribed county office. By statute, the County Attorney is a position that is filled by appointment of the BCC. The County Attorney’s Office provides legal advice and representation for the BCC. The County Attorney, with the approval of the BCC, also advises and represents all other Douglas County elected officials, the County Administrator, department and division heads, and appointed commissions, boards and committees.[17]
The other constitutional officers elected to four-year terms are the County Clerk and Recorder, County Assessor, County Treasurer, County Sheriff, County Coroner and County Surveyor. Constitutionally and statutorily, they are independent from each other and from the County Commissioners. Their powers and duties are prescribed by state statute. The County Commissioners have no direct authority over the other elected officials in the county except that commissioners approve budgets for all other elected officials’ departments.[17]
County Administration
The County Manager is responsible for implementing policies set by the Board of County Commissioners, recommending improved management practices, and directing county operating divisions. The County Manager and his staff prepare current and long-range operational plans; review all existing and future planning systems, personnel, equipment and facility requirements; and recommend procedures and standards for sound, effective county management. The County Manager also coordinates and maintains relations with other jurisdictions and agencies.[18]
The Mission of the County Manager's Office is to:[18]
- Implement Board of County Commissioner policies by providing an efficient and effective support system that enhances each department’s ability to carry out its mission.
- Cultivate an environment of respect, support, and leadership that inspires and encourages organizational excellence, cooperation, innovation, superior customer service, and empowered employees.
- Act as a liaison between the Board of County Commissioners and other county departments, governmental entities, and the business community.
Spending
2011 budget expenditures by fund:[19]
| Fund | Expenditures |
|---|---|
| General | $91,232,079 |
| Road and Bridge | $39,803,260 |
| Human Services | $27,374 |
| Developmental Disabilities | $5,021,042 |
| Law Enforcement Authority | $15,626,843 |
| Road Sales and Use Tax | $32,176,595 |
| Justice Center Sales & Use Tax | $2,427,198 |
| Open Space Sales & Use Tax | $2,420,061 |
| Conservation Trust | $2,485,000 |
| Capital Expenditures | $292,750 |
| Debt Service | $5,609,600 |
| Other Funds | $101,838 |
| Total | $224,570,528 |
Taxes
The County Treasurer website provides information on taxes, including a 'Guide to County Taxes'.[20]
Lobbying
In 2008, Douglas County reported $100,000 spent on lobbying. [21]
External links
- Douglas County Official Website
- Douglas County Assessor
- Douglas County on E-Reference
- Douglas County School District
- Douglas County Information
- Douglas County Libraries
- The News Press, Douglas County
- Douglas County Search and Rescue Team
- Douglas County on Epodunk
References
- ↑ Annual County Population Estimates
- ↑ Douglas County, Budgets, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Staff Directory, Accessed: Jan 14 , 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Elected Officials, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Archived Meeting Minutes and Agendas, Accessed: Jan 14, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Meeting Calendar, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Audits, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Bids, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Contracts, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Open Records Request, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Sales Tax, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Taxes, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Pay Taxes Online, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Associations to which Douglas County pays membership fees, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Transparency Page-Lobbying, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ Douglas County, Building Permits and Zoning, Accessed: Jan 12, 2013
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 About Douglas County Government
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 County Administration
- ↑ 2011 Budget in Brief
- ↑ County Treasurer
- ↑ Douglas County Lobbying Report
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